Thiruvananthapuram: While the Detailed Project Report (DPR) of the SilverLine semi high-speed railway project has stirred a debate on the potential damage to the environment, CPM state secretary Kodiyeri Balakrishnan has dubbed it an 'eco-friendly initiative'.
Addressing the valedictory function of CPM's Thiruvananthapuram district conference on Sunday, Kodiyeri has refuted allegations that the Thiruvananthapuram-Kasaragod railway project will adversely affect the state's fragile ecosystem.
"The LDF government will only roll out projects that protect the environment," said Kodiyeri. "This project is going to be an environment-friendly one. Some are saying it will destroy paddy fields. But it will be taken over the fields on elevated tracks. It is a green project."
After much delay, the state government on Saturday had published the DPR on official websites.
There are several apprehensions listed in the DPR, considering the flood situation in the state and the potential contamination a largescale project could cause to water resources.
Kodiyeri claimed that the public who are now worried will be happy once they are given compensation for the loss of land. "When the government wanted to acquire 2000 acre for the Kannur Airport project, people were against it, but after we announced a package, they were queuing up to give up their land for the development," claimed Kodiyeri.
