About the Organisation:
Kerala Sasthra Sahithya Parishad (KSSP) is a progressive people’s science movement founded in 1962. KSSP chose as its mission the challenge of arming people with the tools of science and technology so that they can reverse this process of monopolizing the benefits of science and technology by a privileged minority. In 1974, KSSP adopted “science for social revolution” as its motto.
About the Talk:
K-Rail, Kerala Rail Development Corporation, is a joint venture company of the Government of Kerala and the Ministry of Railways for the infrastructure development of railways in Kerala. The Semi High-Speed Rail project “SilverLine” has become controversial with a public debate over its pros and cons of it. The Kerala Sastra Sahitya Parishad (KSSP) one of the important people’s science movements in the country has taken an open stance against the project. While KSSP well accepts the importance of railways in transport planning. However, there are serious concerns with the proposed Silverline project of the Government of Kerala. First, it is literally a stand-alone project unconnected to the existing rail network. Second, the environmental impacts are not yet well studied. Third, the estimate of Rs 64,000 crores is inaccurate (Niti Ayog says it will be about Rs 1,26,000 crores) and thus the impact on Kerala’s fiscal health will be devastating. KSSP highlights the need for evaluation of alternatives like the accelerated doubling of the existing North-South line, improving the signaling system and the addition of third and fourth broad gauge lines that can well help achieve the project objectives. The champions of the project forget that the proposed Pune — Nasik semi-high speed line is in broad gauge. Also, the Integral Coach Factory (ICF) is building 40 semi-high speed train sets in broad gauge.
About the Speaker:
Dr. R.V.G. Menon has been the Director of Agency for Non-Conventional Energy and Rural Technology and Director of Integrated Rural Technology Centre, Palakkad, Kerala. He holds a BSc (Mechanical Engineering) from CET, Trivandrum, MTech (Nuclear Engineering) from IIT Kanpur and PhD in Solar Technology from the University of Kerala. He was a Professor of Mechanical Engineering in various Govt Engineering Colleges of Kerala and retired as the Principal of Kannur Engineering College. Dr. Menon is the former president and long-time activist of Kerala Sasthra Sahithya Parishath (KSSP), deeply involved in science popularisation, and author of several articles and books on the societal impact of science and technology.