Kochi : Addressing the mammoth gathering, Metroman said that the Pianarayi regime’s Silverline scheme is disastrous to the environment. No Ground Survey has been conducted for the project. The scheme requires eight feet high walls; it would bifurcate the state into two; will stop the natural flow of water resulting in killer floods. Wire fencing is required above the walls. It costs Rs 8 crores to construct a one kilometer road. It is not all explained in the DPR. He also said that the construction costs of flyovers and subways are not at all recorded in DPR. He alleged that ‘no conduct of the Environment Impact Study’ is a serious lapse. He wondered why CM misguides the people. Government hides the fact. The Chief Minister’s stand that K-Rail will not bifurcate the state is wrong. Metroman said the project would cause environmental impacts. Existing estimated prices have been shown at a lower rate, he alleges. About 800 ROBs will have to be constructed under this project. That itself will cost Rs.16,000 crores. It is not included in the estimate.
E. Sreedharan said that more than 20,000 people will have to be evacuated for Silverline. Details regarding the estimated costs and the required extent of the land are not included in the DPR. The Government has not implemented the other approved projects so far. Still the Government is intransigent in its stand to implement Silverline. They have already stopped various projects which people badly need. Metroman said K-Rail is not for the people. There are specific reasons behind it. If they stand for the people their first priority should have been for Nilambur – Nanchankod Rail project. But, it has stopped. Sreedharan opined that Thiruvananthapuram Light Metro and Kozhikode Light Metro should be implemented first, because they are useful for the people. The agency’s promise to complete the K-Rail project in 2025 was due to their ignorance. DMRC is the best one in the country; but they would take eight to ten years to complete the project.
