The K-Rail SilverLine Virudha Janakeeya Samithi has said that technocrat E. Sreedharan’s high-speed rail project will not solve Kerala’s travel problems.

Mr. Sreedharan has proposed a gauge and speed similar to the K-Rail project and this will not address the requirements of the people, the committee said. The matter was discussed at the forum’s State leadership meeting held in Aluva on Saturday. State committee president M.P. Mathai inaugurated the meeting which was chaired by M.P. Baburaj, State chairman of the committee.

As per the committee, according to Kerala’s situation, the most appropriate option is to develop an automatic signaling system and build high-speed corridors by straightening the sharp curves along railway lines. The committee exhorted that the State government should take up this proposal and said that protest programmes will be launched raising these demands. The committee will stand for the development of Kerala’s public transport system, it said.

“The main travel requirement of the people of Kerala is to travel to other States and nearby towns. In the current scenario where possibilities of movement via Vizhinjam port is possible, the movement of goods is also important. Sreedharan’s new project proposal does not meet any of these requirements,” according to a communication issued by the committee.

It also pointed out that the ticket prices will not be affordable to common people and that the project will adversely affect the environment.