Centre to Kerala HC: Silverline DPR incomplete, did not ask Kerala to lay survey stones
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Kochi: The Kerala High court was told by the Center on Thursday that neither the Government of India nor Indian Railways had agreed or requested the Government of Kerala to place survey stones or mark land during the social impact assessment survey for semi high speed rail corridor.
On the direction of the High Court, the Railway Board submitted an affidavit in the court, which is considering the petitions that challenge the social impact survey of the project conducted by the state government, called Silverline project.
The affidavit was submitted by S Manu, Assistant Solicitor General of India, and said that the Railway Board had only given in-principle approval to the project by Railways, which was meant only for undertaking pre-investment activities. The consideration of the project will be based on the technical and financial feasibility of the project. The project has not yet been approved.
"Granting of IPA only means presentation of DPR etc which brings out the complete details of the project, including financials. No financial approval has been granted to the rail corridor project as per the Ministry of Finance's guidelines. Scrutiny at various levels and stages is required after the clarifications regarding DPR are submitted," said the affidavit.
A Detailed Project Report (DPR) of the Semi High Speed Rail Project has been submitted to the Ministry of Railways for approval by the agency tasked with the implementation of the project, the Kerala Rail Development Corporation Limited (KRDCL), according to the Indian Express.
The DPR did not provide sufficient details for technical feasibility therefore, "KRDCL has been advised to provide detailed technical documents such as alignment plan, particulars of railway land and private land, crossings over existing railway network, duly depicting affected railway assets through the Zonal Railway after site verification for detailed examination of the project and to arrive at conclusion about feasibility of project. Financial viability will be examined and firmed up thereafter. Consideration of the project will depend upon techno-economic viability of the project. The project is not yet sanctioned," the affidavit said.
KRDCL is a joint venture of the Kerala government and the Ministry of Railways.The petitioners sought a declaration from the High Court to state that the notification issued by the State Government for conducting the Social Impact Assessment Survey was illegal, without jurisdiction arbitrary and in violation of Articles 14, 21 and 300A of the Constitution of India.
There has been severe opposition for the survey from across Kerala. In connection with the by-election in the Thrikkakara Assembly seat, the government has suspended the survey. The votes for the same were cast on May 31, and the results are scheduled to be announced on June 3.