SilverLine: Social impact study to be completed by May

Thiruvananthapuram: The K-Rail will take up the social impact study ahead of the SilverLine Semi High-Speed Rail project in eleven districts in a month.

A notification to this effect was issued in Kannur. The boundary stones were laid for the study, K-Rail officials clarified.

The laying of boundary stones with K-Rail markings had created a controversy in the State.

The government, meanwhile, has directed to expedite the social impact study in other districts also. The move is to complete the study in 11 districts by May, and start the acquisition of the required land.

Though land acquisition has been the main impediment for all mega public projects, the government has decided to complete the acquisition of land for its prestigious SilverLine project within a record time.

The government believes that the opposition to the project will fizzle out once the compensation is decided. The compensation will be finalised based on the social impact study, which may pacify the protesters to a certain extent.

The study will find the number of families that have to be evacuated and rehabilitated, buildings that have to be demolished, and the number of people whose livelihood has to be ensured.

The final environmental impact study, meanwhile, has been progressing, and its report is likely to be handed over to the government in six months.

Kannur is ahead in the preparatory works of the SilverLive semi-high-speed Thiruvananthapuram to Kasaragod rail corridor, which will pass through Muzhappilangad, Pallikunnu, Pappinisseri, Valapattanam, Kunjimangalam, Madayi, Payyannur, Dharmadom, Kodiyeri, Thalassery, Thiruvangad and Ezhome in the district.

Rs 20.50 crore more for K-Rail

Despite the controversies over the implementation of SilverLine, the government has allotted Rs 20.50 crore more for the project.

The managing director of K-Rail had requested more funds to expedite the land acquisition process.