The dream project of Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan government – Silverline semi-high-speed rail project – has been put on hold.
The state government has decided to suspend the social impact study for the project till the approval of the Central Railway Board.
Revenue officers who were assigned the task of boundary stone laying will be recalled. Around 205 employees deputed for land acquisition will be recalled by the Revenue Department.
A letter issued by the Additional Chief Secretary, Revenue, has directed the Land Revenue Commissioner and Collectors of 11 districts to recall the staff and submit proposals for their redeployment for specific projects.
There were large-scale protests against the stone laying which, according to the government, was part of the Social Impact Assessment study for land acquisition.
Responding to the development, Opposition leader VD Satheesan said: “If the decision is to stop the project, the opposition welcomes it. If the project was not abandoned, the government would have to face more protests.”