Issuing a return order SilverLine project: forum

The Anti-K-Rail SilverLine People’s Struggle Committee has urged Chief Minister VD Satheesan to issue an order to withdraw the SilverLine rail project.

It has been seven years since the previous Left Democratic Front government started laying stones on lands meant to be acquired from individuals across the state, creating fear among the people. However, strong public protests halted the project. Despite this, the LDF government did not accept the people’s demand to roll it back, the committee said in a statement on Tuesday.

The government supported the project, which threatened to destroy the environment and lead to large-scale displacement of people. The plan was to borrow millions for a project that was meant for wealthy people. The detailed report on the SilverLine project was a hastily prepared and impractical document and did not receive the approval of the Union Government. Offices set up in 11 counties for SilverLine were closed and employees were relocated.

The committee claimed that it had managed to obtain through RTI a letter sent by the LDF government to the Union government stating that the project could not be implemented in view of the issues raised by the committee, environmental and social activists.

The parties and leaders who stood with the committee during its protests were now part of the UDF government. Understanding the anxiety of the people, Mr. Satheesan should withdraw the project, Committee Chairman MP Baburaj said in a statement.

Ahead of the Assembly elections, Mr. Satheesan had said that the UDF would deregister the land acquired for SilverLine if voted to power.

Published – 19 May 2026 21:31 IST