New Delhi: The Union Government has effectively dropped the long-pending railway coach factory project at Kanjikode in Palakkad, with Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw informing the Rajya Sabha that the proposal is no longer under consideration.
In a written reply to a question from CPM MP John Brittas, the Minister said the existing railway coach manufacturing units in the country, along with those already sanctioned, are sufficient to meet India’s future production requirements. As a result, the proposed coach factory at Kanjikode is not being pursued.
Vaishnaw also stated that the 228 acres of land acquired for the project would be utilised for other future requirements of the Indian Railways.
Responding to another question from Brittas, the Minister said the Kerala Government has decided not to proceed with either the proposed SilverLine semi-high-speed rail project or the high-speed rail corridor conceptualised by E. Sreedharan.
The minister’s remarks indicate that both major railway infrastructure projects associated with Kerala are no longer under active consideration.
Meanwhile, amid repeated protests and disruptions by Opposition members, the Rajya Sabha passed the Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) Bill before adjourning for the day.
