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The Kerala government has decided to denotify the controversial SilverLine project, which faced protests due to land acquisition and displacement of thousands of families. Critics argued it was economically unviable and environmentally damaging.
SilverLine corridor, planned to connect Thiruvananthapuram and Kasaragod, was mooted in 2019 by the previous LDF government.(K-rail)Kerala Chief Minister VD Satheesan on Wednesday said that the cabinet has decided to denotify the SilverLine semi-high-speed rail, bringing an end to one of the most ambitious and controversial infrastructure projects of the previous LDF government.
SilverLine project denotified
"In today's Cabinet, we have decided to denotify the SilverLine project. The acquisition process will be denotified. We have asked the Revenue Department to remove all boundary signals for acquiring this land," the Chief Minister said.
According to the Kerala CM, the SilverLine proposal on grounds of feasibility and environmental impact.
"We are not against the high-speed rail project. We oppose the SilverLine project because it was an environmental disaster. It was not economically viable. There wasn't even a detailed project report," he said.
"During monsoons, it would have turned into an environmental disaster. It was not a sustainable project," he added.
He said the UDF concluded that the project was unviable after discussions with experts.
The CM also said that the government would recommend the withdrawal of all cases related to protests against the project.
What was SilverLine corridor?
The 530-km SilverLine corridor, planned to connect Thiruvananthapuram and Kasaragod, was mooted in 2019 by the previous LDF government as a semi-high-speed rail network.
Once operationalised, it was expected to reduce travel time between the two districts at the two ends of the state to just four hours.
Why if faced opposition?
However, the project faced sustained public protests, political opposition and legal hurdles over land acquisition and displacement concerns.
The alignment required the acquisition of over 1,200 hectares of land and was projected to displace around 10,000 families, triggering widespread resistance across the state.
The project, estimated to cost over ₹63,000 crore, also faced questions over financial viability and dependence on international loans, along with delays in securing central approvals.
The project was to be undertaken by K-Rail (Kerala Rail Development Corporation Limited), a joint venture company between the Ministry of Railways and the Government of Kerala.
Despite its potential to revolutionise rail travel in Kerala, the SilverLine project failed to attain the necessary clearances from the Ministry of Railways.
Critics also argued that the SilverLine project, which would also pass through densely populated areas, would displace over 10,000 to 30,000 families across Kerala.
K-Rail SilverLine Virudha Janakeeya Samiti, a citizens' group, led the protests against SilverLine, which often led to violent clashes with the Police, and thousands of criminal cases were filed against the demonstrators. The Congress and the BJP had also supported the protests.
What protesters said
Welcoming the Kerala government’s announcement, S Rajeevan, general convener of the K-Rail SilverLine Virudha Janakeeya Samiti, said it marked the culmination of a seven-year struggle.
"We are extremely happy because we have been fighting against this project for the last seven years. In Kerala's history, there has never been another issue where police were deployed from Thiruvananthapuram to Kasaragod, and people were dealt with in such a harsh manner. This is a resounding victory for the agitation we carried out against it," Rajeevan told ANI.
Key Takeaways
- Public protests can significantly influence governmental decisions regarding large-scale projects.
- Environmental concerns and economic viability are crucial factors in infrastructure development.
- The scrapping of the SilverLine project highlights the importance of thorough feasibility studies before initiating such projects.
About the Author
Bobins Vayalil Abraham
Bobins loves telling the human side of all stories, from the intersection of geopolitics, international relations, and conflicts around the world. In his nearly one-and-a-half-decade career as a journalist, Bobins has covered South Asia, the Middle East, and North America, from elections to mass protests and conflicts. <br> Bobins has also done extensive reporting on environmental issues, climate change, and sustainability, focusing on solutions and people working to make the planet a better place to live. <br> In 2018, Bobins was awarded by Times Internet for the impact of his story on Delhi tree cuttings. Bobins also loves telling the stories of Indian startups and the journey of their founders. <br> Total Years of Experience: 14 <br> Years of experience at LM: Bobins has been a part of Live Mint since February 2026 <br> Interests: When he is not tracking conflicts, Bobins loves to cook, travel across India, click photos, and watch documentaries on history. Past Experience: Before joining Live Mint, Bobins worked with The Indian Express, where he led the Global Breaking News coverage, Indiatimes, where he led the news team, covering everything trending, ANI, where the focus of his coverage was South Asia, and NBS News. <br> Current Role: Bobins is currently working as an Assistant Editor at Live Mint.
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