The Kerala government has officially cancelled the Silver Line high-speed rail project. Chief Minister V.D. Satheesan made the announcement following a cabinet meeting on Wednesday. The land acquisition notification issued for the project has also been rescinded, and the Revenue Department has been directed to remove the yellow boundary markers (manjakkutti) installed along the proposed route.

“I have directly understood the difficulties the Silver Line project has caused the people,” the Chief Minister said. “It’s not just that the project is not proceeding — it hasn’t been abandoned either. For years, ordinary people have been unable to buy or sell land because of this project. We opposed Silver Line and fought against it. Based on that, we have taken this significant decision.”

The CM clarified that the government is not opposed to a high-speed railway project that does not harm Kerala economically or environmentally, adding that details on that would be explained later.

The anti-Silver Line people’s committee welcomed the government decision. General Convenor S. Rajeevan also welcomed the decision to withdraw cases against activists and called for 3-4 railway lines to be installed on the existing track. He emphasized that any future project must not cause environmental disaster.