While the CPI(M) government’s ambitious Silverline railway corridor, which aims for semi-speed connectivity, remains in a state of uncertainty due to the lack of approval from the Railway Ministry, both the Left-led government and the BJP are now contemplating a high-speed rail corridor project suggested by the renowned “Metro Man” and BJP national executive member, E Sreedharan.
Following the submission of Sreedharan’s proposal by K V Thomas, the state’s special representative in Delhi, to Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, the state BJP leadership held discussions with Sreedharan in Ponnani, Malappuram. In response, the state government has decided to thoroughly analyze the proposal, as confirmed by Thomas.
The possibility of the CPI(M) and the BJP finding common ground on the project relies heavily on the influence of Sreedharan, who is widely respected in Kerala regardless of political affiliations. A decade ago, when Kerala entrusted the construction of Kochi Metro to the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC), it was primarily due to Sreedharan’s involvement as an advisor. However, after the CPI(M) government accelerated its efforts on the Silverline project, Sreedharan openly criticized the idea, labeling it as foolish.
