The Kerala government has allotted Rs 20.5 crore for purchasing land for the SilverLine project and has expedited the process.

As per the order released by the state transport department on December 31, the preparatory works for land purchase needs to be done immediately, and the managing director of the Kerala Rail Development Corporation Limited (K-Rail) has urged the government for the issue of the amount for the purpose.

A high-power committee meeting on major infrastructure development projects (MIDP) in the state, that was conducted on November 17, pondered the proposal from K-Rail and sanctioned it, and suggested the finance department render additional funds since the existing allocation under the MIDP has been earmarked already.

The state had committed Rs 473.03 crore for launching different infrastructure projects for the current financial year. The charge for the SilverLine project will be in addition to this allocation. Based on the high-power committee's recommendation, an additional cost of Rs 20.50 crore has been approved towards the setting up and contingency costs for the land purchase of the project. It comprises the costs for installing special units for land purchase and fulfilling all other costs for the operation of the units.

The government has already released an order for carrying out the social impact assessment study for the project in Kannur. It is of the stand that unless the land markings are made, it cannot establish how much the project would affect the people and how many families will have to be displaced.

The government approved a social impact assessment study in Kannur district to be done within 100 days and to be held by the social impact assessment unit, Kerala Voluntary Health Service, Mullankuzhy, Kottayam. A total of 106.2 hectares is to be purchased for the project from the Kannur district that comprises 19 villages in three taluks - Kannur, Payyanur and Thalassery. As per rule 10 of the land acquisition, rehabilitation and resettlement rules, 2015, a social impact assessment study is compulsory before obtaining land.

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