Noting that this fund would not be an obstacle for his government in implementing its flagship Silver Line rail corridor project, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan said various global agencies, including the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA ), had already offered financial support to the gigantic initiative.

Negotiations have also been concluded with institutions such as the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB), Asian Development Bank (AfDB) and KFW in this regard, he said amid talks. Intense criticism from opposition parties against the implementation of K-Rail, the cost of which is estimated at Rs 63,941 crores. Vijayan also made it clear that the Niti Aayog and the Union Ministries of Finance and Railways have granted adequate sanctions to the state government to identify ways to finance the project.

The chief minister gave a detailed description of the government’s efforts to raise funds for the multi-crore infrastructure project in an article written in the latest edition of “Chintha”, a CPI (M) spokesperson publication in to be able to. Categorically dismissing as “baseless” the opposition’s accusation that the project would destroy the state’s economy, he said there is no government in the world that does not borrow for projects. infrastructure development.

Everyone agrees that infrastructure development can stimulate economic growth as well as increase income, the veteran Marxist added. “Global financial agencies, including JICA, have offered to provide financial assistance for the project. Negotiations have been carried out with financial institutions such as AIIB, KFW and AfDB … Its detailed project report (DPR) has been prepared by SYSTRA, ”he said. in the article.

Noting that environmentally friendly and cost-effective high-speed transport facilities are essential for the growth of the southern state, he said the alignment of the Silver Line rail corridor has been secured through the considerably less populated areas. giving priority to technical, economic and social aspects of the state. A compensation and relief program worth Rs 13,265 crore would be implemented for those affected who lose their homes, buildings, property and other possessions, he said.

Detailing the “green aspect” of the multi-crore project, connecting the southern and northern ends of the state, Vijayan said no reserve forests or water bodies would be affected by the Silver Line. “Part of the population is launching propaganda that thousands of families will be left homeless thanks to the acquisition of land for the project. Land is meant to be acquired by giving appropriate compensation, ”he said.

The government is taking steps to address people’s concerns about the project and to take into account the views of the people’s representatives, he said, adding that a public hearing would be held to listen to concerns and find solutions. solutions. Unless there was some resistance due to some misunderstanding, the people of the state generally recognized the importance of the mega project, he said, and called on everyone to stand united for the development of the state.

Meanwhile, the announced decision of the Vijayan government to launch a tender for the printing of 50 lakh textbooks for distribution to the public detailing the importance of the implementation of the K-Rail project has drawn attention. opposition Congress as senior leaders VD Satheesan and Ramesh Chennithala opposed it. .

-With PTI inputs