Kochi: The Kerala High Court has expressed surprise over the Central Government’s silence over the controversial SilverLine semi high-speed project (K-Rail) planned by the state government. “The Centre has 49 per cent equity share in the project. However, the Union Government has not revealed what would be its role in K-Rail,” observed Justice Devan Ramachandran while considering a batch of petitions filed against the laying of boundary stones with ‘K-Rail’ markings on private land.
In its affidavit filed before the court, the Central Government has not said that a survey for SilverLine cannot be carried out, pointed out the judge. Moreover, the Supreme Court has allowed a social impact study in the affected areas, the court pointed out.
The High Court also observed that petitioners need not be concerned over acquisition of their land for the project at this stage as the state government has assured the court that its intention was only to conduct a social impact survey.
“The court has been informed that not even inch of land was frozen for the project. The state government has also told the court that land could be pledged to avail loans,” the judge said.
“Let the survey proceed. However, even then, two questions arise. Firstly, whether the survey is conducted following all rules. Secondly, whether the government can plant such stones on private land without notice and carry out the survey,” said the court and directed the authorities concerned to make things clear.
State-Centre nexus alleged
Meanwhile, Kerala’s Opposition Leader V D Satheesan alleged that the state government had struck a deal with the Centre over the project. “Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan met Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi seeking clearance for SilverLine after holding discussions with some middlemen,” said Satheesan, who is a legislator representing the Congress.
