New Delhi: In a key move that could shape the future of Kerala’s most ambitious infrastructure venture, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan will meet Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw in Delhi today to push for Central approval of the ₹64,000-crore SilverLine semi-high-speed rail project.
The 529-km corridor, designed to slash travel time between the state’s northern and southern ends, has been projected as a game-changer for Kerala’s transit landscape. The state government argues that the SilverLine will ease traffic congestion, promote eco-friendly transportation, and drive long-term economic growth.
Despite its potential, the project has remained stuck due to the lack of central clearances and strong opposition from various quarters over environmental, financial, and rehabilitation concerns.
Today’s meeting is expected to be a high-stakes discussion, with CM Vijayan reaffirming the state’s unwavering commitment to the project and seeking expedited clearances from Indian Railways. The outcome could either revive the SilverLine’s momentum—or push it further into uncertainty.
