Lok Sabha Question No. 649 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2022-07-20
Subject: K-Rail Project
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: Hibi Eden

- (a)

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 649

## TO BE ANSWERED ON 20.07.2022

## K-RAIL PROJECT

649.   SHRI HIBI EDEN : Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:
2. (a) whether the Government of Kerala has submitted new documents / clarifications for the K-Rail (Silver Line) project for  approval  and permission, on or after 16.03.2022 and if so, the details thereof;
3. (b) whether  the  Government  has  re-examined  the  project  on  or  after 16.03.2022 and if so, the details thereof;
4. (c) whether  the  consideration  of  the  project  is  likely  to  depend  upon technological viability and economic viability of the project and if so, the details of technical reasons that may  be considered before the Government grants permission/ issue NOC; and
5. (d) whether  the  Government  is  aware  of  the  protests  over  K  Rail  (Silver  Line)  Project  and  if  so,  the  stand  of  the  Government  in  this regard?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF RAILWAYS, COMMUNICATIONS AND ELECTRONICS & INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY

## (SHRI ASHWINI VAISHNAW)

- No, Sir.
- (b) No, Sir. Sufficient details for technical feasibility are not available in the  Detailed  Project  Report  (DPR).  Therefore,  Kerala  Rail  Development Corporation Limited (KRDCL), a Joint Venture Company of Government of Kerala (51%) and Ministry of Railways (49%) has been advised to provide detailed  technical  documents  such  as  alignment  plan,  particulars  of

railway land and private land, crossings over existing railway network, duly  depicting  affected  railway  asset  through  Zonal  Railway  after  site verification  for  detailed  examination  of  the  project  and  to  arrive  at conclusion  about  feasibility of  project.  Details  have  not  yet  been submitted by KRDCL (c) Yes,  Sir.  Soil  condition,  natural  drainage,  environmental  issues, Interoperatibility, debt serviceability with mainly passenger traffic, etc. will be looked into after receiving of details from KRDCL. (d) Many  representations  are  being  received  in  this  Ministry.  Major issues raised are :-  (i) thousands of hectares of cultivable land, 20,000 thousand houses, shops and business establishments will be ruined (ii) Angamaly railway station operates railway sidings for Food Corporation of  India.  Silver  line  will  be  an  obstacle  for  expansion  (iii)  Proposed alignment  will  demolish  many  religious  structures  (iv)  Proposed  track being  built  on  standard  gauge  so  it  cannot  be  integrated  with  the existing railway track network (v) Proposed route is prepared in such a way  that  the  same  is  adversely  affecting  the  life  and  property  of  the residents of Poundukadavu who have been residing there for the past 70 years.  (vi)  Kerala  Govt.  having  a  big  amount  of  debt.  Even  for  giving salary  and  pension  Govt  is  borrowing  a  big  amount.  Therefore,  this project will be a heavy loss for Govt. of Kerala. (vii) The proposed plans be adjusted in such a way that the land is not acquired for the purpose of the silver line project. These issues will be looked into after receiving of details from KRDCL.

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