Lok Sabha Question No. 224 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2022-12-07
Subject: K-Rail (Silverline) Project
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: Hibi Eden

## 224.  SHRI HIBI EDEN :

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether  the  Government  has  noticed  that  without  proper  and  legal sanction  for  the  Silverline  semi-high  speed  rail  project,  the  Government  of Kerala  is  proceeding  with  the  works  of  the  same,  if  so,  the  facts  and  details thereof;
- (b) whether  the  Government  of  Kerala  has  submitted  new  amplifications  or magnifications for the K-Rail (Silverline) project for approval and permission, on or after 20.07.2022 and if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether the Kerala Rail Development Corporation Limited (K-Rail) has not yet given technical documents and other details, including the alignment of the Silverline project, if so, the details thereof;
- (d) whether the Government has re-examined or scrutinized the project on or after 20.07.2022 and if so, the details thereof;
- (e) whether  the  consideration  of  the  project  is  likely  to  depend  upon  soil condition, natural drainage, environmental issues, interoperability, debt serviceability with mainly passenger traffic of the project, if so, the details of all pre-conditions  that  may  be  considered  before  the  Union  Government  grants permission/issue NOC; and
- (f) whether the Government is aware of the delay that occurred in issuing permission/NOC in the case of the K-Rail Silverline Project and if so, the stand of the Government in this regard?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF RAILWAYS, COMMUNICATIONS AND ELECTRONICS & INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY

(SHRI ASHWINI VAISHNAW)

- (a) to (f): A Statement is laid on the Table of the House.

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## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 224 TO BE ANSWERED ON 07.12.2022 K-RAIL (SILVERLINE) PROJECT

STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PARTS (a) TO (f) OF UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 224 BY SHRI HIBI EDEN TO BE ANSWERED IN LOK SABHA ON 07.12.2022 REGARDING K-RAIL (SILVER LINE) PROJECT. (a): No, Sir. Kerala Rail Development  Corporation  Ltd.(KRDCL)  a  Joint Venture  Company  of  State  Govt.  of  Kerala  (51%)  and  Ministry  of  Railways (49%)  has  taken  up  the  work  of  Silver  Line  (Semi  High  Speed  Rail)  from Thiruvananthapuram to Kasaragod (530.6 Km.) for development. In Principle Approval (IPA) of Railway Board has been granted for this project for taking up pre-investment activities. Granting of IPA means go ahead for preparation of  DPR  etc  which  brings  out  the  complete  details  of  the  project  including financials. (b) to (d):  No, Sir. DPR  is under examination by Ministry of Railways. Sufficient  details  for  technical  feasibility  are  not  available  in  the  DPR. Therefore, KRDCL 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 for detailed examination of the project and to arrive  at  conclusion  about  feasibility  of  project,  which  is  awaited  from KRDCL. (e):  Financial  viability  will  be  examined  and  firmed  up  after  finalisation  of technical parameters. Consideration of the project will depend upon technoeconomic viability of the project. (f): The Project is not yet sanctioned.  Therefore, question of delay does not arise.

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