Kerala: Satheesan scraps LDF's controversial rail project

Key points

• Will withdraw cases against Silverline protesters: Kerala CM 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...