. THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Kerala’s most controversial infrastructure project in recent history is officially dead. Chief minister V D Satheesan Wednesday announced that UDF govt had decided to scrap the controversial SilverLine semi-high-speed rail project designed to link Thiruvananthapuram and Kasaragod, ending the flagship infrastructure initiative of the previous LDF govt after years of protests and uncertainty. The anti-SilverLine agitation went on to evolve into one of the fiercest mass mobilisation against the previous Pinarayi Vijayan govt. The CM told media that the cabinet took a decision to revoke all land acquisition notifications issued for it. “Though the project had effectively been dropped, the notifications continued to remain in force, causing difficulties for ordinary people who were unable to sell, purchase or mortgage their land,” Satheesan said.. Satheesan clarified that UDF was not against a high-speed rail corridor, as long as it did not place a financial or environmental burden on Kerala. “We opposed SilverLine because it did not even have a proper detailed project report. Had it been implemented, it would have been an environmental disaster, as 30ft-high embankments were planned for 300km and 10ft-high walls for another 200km of the corridor,” he said. During monsoon, it would have wreaked havoc, Satheesan said. SilverLine was proposed as a 529.45km rail corridor connecting 11 districts.Will withdraw cases against Silverline protesters: Kerala CMConceived by Kerala Rail Development Corporation, the project, also known as K-Rail, aimed to reduce travel time between the two ends of the state to around four hours. Its estimated cost had crossed Rs 1 lakh crore in later projections. The project had faced uncertainty after the Union govt did not grant final approval. People affected by the land acquisition process and others opposed to the project welcomed the decision. The chief minister said the home department would recommend the withdrawal of cases related to protests against the project pending before courts. A decision on withdrawal would be taken after examining the nature and status of each case individually, he added. The proposal faced sustained opposition from environmental groups, residents’ collectives and opposition parties. End of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideos’India Won’t Tolerate Any Form Of Nuclear Blackmail’: Rajnath Singh In South KoreaWho Is Ryan Williams? Footballer Who Gave Up Australian Citizenship To Play For IndiaCongress To Join Tamil Nadu Cabinet After 59 Years As Vijay Expands TVK GovernmentIndia, Italy Elevate Ties; PM Modi’s ‘Melody’ Gift To Meloni Goes Viral | Headlines@9Parle Industries Shares Jump 5% After Modi-Meloni’s ‘Melody’ Moment, But There’s A CatchItaly PM Giorgia Meloni Speaks Hindi During Joint Presser With PM Modi | Viral ‘Melodi’ Moment’Anarchic Mindset’: BJP Slams Rahul Gandhi For ‘Traitors’ Remark On PM Modi, Amit Shah’Warned India of Economic Storm, Then Flew to Italy on ₹4,000 Crore Jet’: Rahul Gandhi Slams PM ModiIndia Successfully Tests Suryastra Precision Rocket System With 300-Km Strike CapabilityThree Newly Married Women Die Within Five Days Across MP And UP, Families Allege Dowry Harassment123PhotostoriesMorning affirmation at 5 am: What happens when your brain hears positive words before sunriseInternational Tea Day 2026: 6 culinary uses of tea leaves apart from making teaUrvashi Rautela said ‘too much’ is the ultimate mood with not one but two extravagant gowns at Cannes 2026Exclusive – From Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah to Dhurandhar, Rakesh Bedi and Asit Kumarr Modi get candid about their bond and journey; actor reacts to David Dhawan’s remark8 strange and uncomfortable signs you are going through a quiet spiritual awakening8 giraffe facts that shock even wildlife loversGauranga Das shares 3 signs of a loyal partner10 exercises that can keep the heart healthyFeeling Stressed? Try These Astrological Tips to Calm Down Your MindNidhi Kumar recreated Madhuri Dixit’s magic at Cannes 2026’s red carpet — and the internet is officially obsessed123Hot PicksSBI apprentice recruitment 2026US Iran warCBSE Class 12 re-evaluation 2026Gold price predictionAdani Group stocksNEET exam cancelledMHT CET Result 2026Top TrendingCBSE Answer SheetTwisha SharmaIPL Playoff RaceTN Results 2026Odisha 12th ResultsIPL 2026IPL Orange Cap 2026India VS Afghanistan Squad AnnouncementMHT CET Result DateJahangir Khan
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Kerala’s most controversial infrastructure project in recent history is officially dead. Chief minister V D Satheesan Wednesday announced that UDF govt had decided to scrap the controversial SilverLine semi-high-speed rail project designed to link Thiruvananthapuram and Kasaragod, ending the flagship infrastructure initiative of the previous LDF govt after years of protests and uncertainty. The anti-SilverLine agitation went on to evolve into one of the fiercest mass mobilisation against the previous Pinarayi Vijayan govt. The CM told media that the cabinet took a decision to revoke all land acquisition notifications issued for it. “Though the project had effectively been dropped, the notifications continued to remain in force, causing difficulties for ordinary people who were unable to sell, purchase or mortgage their land,” Satheesan said.
.
Satheesan clarified that UDF was not against a high-speed rail corridor, as long as it did not place a financial or environmental burden on Kerala. “We opposed SilverLine because it did not even have a proper detailed project report. Had it been implemented, it would have been an environmental disaster, as 30ft-high embankments were planned for 300km and 10ft-high walls for another 200km of the corridor,” he said. During monsoon, it would have wreaked havoc, Satheesan said. SilverLine was proposed as a 529.45km rail corridor connecting 11 districts.Will withdraw cases against Silverline protesters: Kerala CMConceived by Kerala Rail Development Corporation, the project, also known as K-Rail, aimed to reduce travel time between the two ends of the state to around four hours. Its estimated cost had crossed Rs 1 lakh crore in later projections. The project had faced uncertainty after the Union govt did not grant final approval. People affected by the land acquisition process and others opposed to the project welcomed the decision. The chief minister said the home department would recommend the withdrawal of cases related to protests against the project pending before courts. A decision on withdrawal would be taken after examining the nature and status of each case individually, he added. The proposal faced sustained opposition from environmental groups, residents’ collectives and opposition parties.
