Kerala Government Approves RRTS Line After Centre's Repeated Rejection of SilverLine Project
Thiruvananthapuram: In a significant development for Kerala's transportation infrastructure, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan announced that the state cabinet has approved the Regional Rapid Transit System (RRTS) line connecting Thiruvananthapuram to Kasargod. This decision comes after the Central government repeatedly failed to approve the much-discussed SilverLine project and remained unresponsive to alternative semi-high-speed rail proposals.
Frustration with Central Government's Non-Response
Speaking at the inauguration of the Loka Kerala Sabha on Thursday, Chief Minister Vijayan revealed the detailed sequence of events that led to this new transportation initiative. He explained that the SilverLine project was originally proposed as a crucial measure to improve travel speeds across Kerala, particularly because the Indian Railways had not enhanced their service speeds in the region.
"When we initially proposed SilverLine, we were optimistic about receiving approvals since the project promised substantial benefits for the people of Kerala," Vijayan stated. "However, as we attempted to move forward with implementation, we encountered significant obstacles. The railway ministry consistently refused to grant approval, despite our persistent efforts."
Alternative Proposals and Continued Silence
Following the SilverLine impasse, renowned 'Metroman' E. Sreedharan approached the Kerala government with a new proposal for a semi-high-speed rail line. Sreedharan assured state officials that this alternative plan would likely receive Central government approval if formally submitted.
"We welcomed this suggestion because our primary objective has always been to provide better rail connectivity for our citizens," Vijayan explained. "I instructed K V Thomas in New Delhi to present this proposal to the relevant ministry and inquire about potential approval. Unfortunately, we received absolutely no response."
The Chief Minister further detailed a personal meeting with Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, during which he explicitly stated that Kerala would submit a formal proposal if the Centre indicated willingness to approve it. "Even after this direct appeal, there was complete silence from the Central government," Vijayan emphasized.
Turning to the RRTS Model
It was this persistent lack of response that prompted Kerala officials to explore the Delhi-Meerut RRTS model as a potential solution. The RRTS system operates similarly to metro rail networks but offers significantly improved speeds and falls under the jurisdiction of the Union Ministry of Urban Affairs.
"When the Union Urban Affairs Minister visited Kerala, I specifically asked whether an RRTS project could be approved for our state," Vijayan recounted. "During a public function, the minister confirmed that approval would be granted if Kerala submitted a formal proposal. Accordingly, we prepared and presented a comprehensive proposal, which has now received clearance from the state cabinet."
While acknowledging that implementation may require considerable time, Chief Minister Vijayan expressed cautious optimism about the project's eventual realization. "This RRTS line represents a practical alternative that addresses our transportation needs while working within existing approval frameworks," he concluded, highlighting the government's determination to enhance Kerala's rail infrastructure despite previous setbacks.
