Thiruvananthapuram: Chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan said in the assembly that social impact study for K-Rail project will be conducted.
The environmental impact study has been done and a detailed project report (DPR) has been prepared. DPR has been submitted to Centre for final approval. The work will begin once central approval is obtained, said Vijayan while replying to a notice, seeking leave for an adjournment motion to discuss the project.
However, opposition leader Ramesh Chennithala alleged that Centre had denied sanction for the project and the state government was going ahead with land acquisition. He alleged that the project would pull the state into a deep financial crisis and over 50,000 buildings would be affected.
But, the chief minister said as per DPR, only 9,314 buildings will be affected in 11 districts through the K-Rail. The total length of the rail project is 530km of which 220km line will be parallel to the existing tracks.
The project has been designed protecting paddy, cultivable lands. In greenfield areas, track will be constructed on elevated pillars. Among the 115km rail stretch through agri land, the line along 88km stretch are being constructed in this fashion. All waterbodies have been protected and there will be no adverse impact on the environment. This has been ensured, said Vijayan.
On the allegation that the project will be financial liability for Kerala, the chief minister said K-Rail project should be seen as a development of infrastructure and this would attract investments. The economy of the state will also have a corresponding boost, he added.
The semi high-speed rail corridor, which was envisaged earlier by the previous government, would have pulled state into a deep financial liability since the estimated cost of that project was Rs 66,000 crore. It is double the cost of what we will have to spend for K-Rail, he said.
K-Rail is being implemented through Kerala Rail Development Corporation. The government will have 51% share in this company and the remaining 49% share will be of Union railway ministry. It has been decided to source funds from international agencies at lower interest rate, said the chief minister.
Based on CM’s explanation, the speaker denied permission for the adjournment motion.