The Kerala minister said that till now everything has been done on the basis of the permission of the Centre. (file)
Thiruvananthapuram:
The Congress-led United Democratic Front’s opposition on Tuesday resumed its attack on the Kerala government over the Silverline semi-high speed rail corridor and asked why it spent crores on a project that was not approved by the Center or the Railways. has given.
Leader of Opposition (LoP) VD Satheesan’s question comes in the wake of a joint affidavit filed by the Center and the Railway Board in the Kerala High Court on Monday, stating that they have “neither sanctioned nor accorded with the social impact assessment consented.” SIA)”.
The affidavit, filed through Assistant Solicitor General of India (ASGI) S Manu, also said that the survey is being conducted by the Kerala government under the provisions of Right to Fair Compensation and Transparency in the Land Acquisition Act and that the Center has no role in it. Not there. This.
In the affidavit, he said, “However, if K-Rail Corporation, being a company, is involved in SIA and is spending its funds for the purpose, such participation and expenditure shall be at its own risk and responsibility.” “
The Center and the Railway Board reiterated that so far no clearance has been given by them for the project and therefore, any action for land acquisition by any authority is premature.
On the other hand, Kerala Finance Minister KN Balagopal said that what the state had done so far was based on the permission given by the Centre.
He further said that where projects for the development of a state are concerned, the Center should examine it and give necessary permissions or approvals.
“They are bound to do so,” he said, adding that an application for approval of the project was pending before the central government.
Speaking to reporters in the state capital, Mr. Satheesan said Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan never answered any questions from the opposition inside and outside the assembly on how the state was proceeding with the project when it was not cleared. . Center or Railway Board.
Instead, the chief minister declared “arrogantly” that he would go ahead with it no matter what and thrashed those opposing the project, he alleged.
Therefore, the money spent on the project, when it was not yet approved by the Centre, should be recovered from those responsible for it, he argued.
The Kerala government’s ambitious Silverline project, which is expected to reduce the travel time from Thiruvananthapuram to Kasaragod by about four hours, is being opposed by the Congress-led UDF, alleging that it is “unscientific and unscientific”. impractical” and would cause huge losses. financial burden on the state
The 530-km stretch from Thiruvananthapuram to Kasaragod will be developed by K-Rail – a joint venture of the Government of Kerala and the Ministry of Railways for the development of railway infrastructure in the southern state.
Silverline trains originating from the state capital will have halts at Kollam, Chengannur, Kottayam, Ernakulam, Thrissur, Tirur, Kozhikode and Kannur before reaching Kasaragod.
(Except for the title, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)