SilverLine costly, viable options available, says ex-railway chief engineer

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: After failing to get an audience with Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, former Indian Railways chief engineer Alok Kumar Verma met Opposition Leader V D Satheesan and conveyed his apprehension over the SilverLine semi high-speed rail project on Wednesday. Verma, who had led the preliminary feasibility study for the project, told reporters: “I wanted to convey my apprehension to the CM or an officer deputed by him. However, I was denied an opportunity,” he said.

Upgrading of the existing railway line and the tilting train are two viable alternatives for the costly SilverLine, he said. “Expenses for both the options are much lower. Without any study, the MD of K-Rail claimed that it was impossible to straighten the curves on the existing railway line. He is wrong. It is possible. The Indian Railways is upgrading lines in a phased manner,” Verma said.