Concrete Structures Cannot Be Installed As Part Of K-Rail Project Without Land Acquisition: Kerala High Court
The Kerala High Court on Thursday said to the state government that any survey being carried out in relation to the SilverLine project has to adhere to the Survey and Boundaries Act and concrete structures cannot be installed prior to carrying out the land acquisition.
The High Court also issued notice to the Centre, State Government, Railway Board and the Kerala Rail Development Corporation Ltd (K-Rail) seeking their stand on a plea claiming concrete structures were being put up as part of the survey of land for the project.
The Kerala Government's SilverLine project has been facing opposition from various quarters including the opposition, which has been alleging that it is "unscientific and impractical" and will put a huge financial burden on the state.
Advocate O V Maniprasad, who appeared for the petitioner, Muralikrishnan, told the Court that big concrete structures were being put up in violation of the Survey and Boundaries Act and it amounted to taking possession of the land for the project.
He told the Court that no approval has been received for carrying out the land acquisition for the project.
The Court, thereafter, ordered that any survey being carried out has to be as per the Act and the Rules framed thereunder and such concrete structures cannot be put up.
There is already one plea in the High Court alleging that the state was carrying out land acquisition proceedings for the semi-high speed rail corridor SilverLine, without the sanction of the Centre or other appropriate authorities.
The earlier plea has sought contempt action against the state and K-Rail for violating the assurance given to the court in January that they will proceed with the project only after getting the concurrence from the Centre, Railway Board and other statutory authorities.
The 532 kilometre stretch of the SilverLine from Thiruvananthapuram to Kasaragod would be developed by K-Rail, a joint venture of the Kerala government and the Railway Ministry for developing railway infrastructure in the southern state.
Starting from the state capital, SilverLine trains will have stoppages at Kollam, Chengannur, Kottayam, Ernakulam, Thrissur, Tirur, Kozhikode and Kannur before reaching Kasaragod.
With PTI Inputs
