Quarries in Kerala can't bear the load of SilverLine Project

Thiruvananthapuram: How many lakh tonnes of granites are needed for the SilverLine project which is to be propped up through embankments, tunnels, bridges and viaducts? Though the detailed project report (DPR) of the proposed semi speed rail does not give a clear idea about the requirement, it is almost certain that the quarries in Kerala will not be able to meet such a huge demand for granites.

The apprehension about meeting the demand of granites for constructing a 529.45 km stretch of K-rail is fully justified since the construction of a mere 3.1-meter breakwater scheme in the Vizhinjam international port is going to consume almost 75 lakh tonnes of granites.

It is estimated that rocks unearthed from almost 66 quarries are needed for completing the Vizhinjam project.

Industry Minister P Rajeev had told the Assembly that out of the total requirement for the Vizhinjam project, only eight lakh tonnes of rocks are being taken from the quarries in Kerala and the rest of the material is being brought from other States.

He also said that the number of quarries in Kerala has drastically reduced now. In 2010-11, there were 3104  quarries while in 2020-21, the number of quarries came down to 604. With Kerala witnessing such a sharp decline in the number of quarries and in the number of granites produced, the moot question is how and from where the granites needed for the SilverLine project will be made available.

DPR says stones available in central Kerala

The DPR claims that the stones and sand required for the project are available in Central Kerala. But it is not clear whether the permission for opening up new quarries will be given by the State Government in order to tap resources for the SilverLine project.

Though the DPR spoke about meeting the demand for the project from Kerala itself, the Kerala Rail Development Corporation Limited (K-Rail) is planning to bring granites and other construction materials from other States. The K-Rail Ltd claimed that it had ensured the availability of construction materials from other States for the project and it would be brought to Kerala via rail line.

Interestingly, the claim of the K-Rail Ltd comes at a time when the breakwater scheme of the Vizhinjam airport is going at a snail's pace due to an acute shortage of granites.

Those who oppose the SilverLine Project, including Kerala Sastra Sahitya Parishad, pointed out that the proposed semi speed rail needed 80 lakh loads of granites and 50 lakh loads of sand. But strange enough, the K-Rail still doesn't have in its hands the exact figures on the construction material needed for the project.

Constructions under K-Rail

Tunnel: 11.528 km 

Bridge: 12.991 km

Viaduct: 88.412 km

Embankment: 292.728 km

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