Though Alok Kumar Verma, former Railways Chief Engineer, a critic of the SilverLine semi-high-speed project rail project, has withdrawn from a debate on the project, the war of words between him and the K-Rail authorities is continuing.
As Mr. Verma, who prepared the pre-feasibility report, reiterated the unviability of the project, K-Rail reportedly fielded Swayambhoo Lingam, project director of Systra, the consultancy which prepared the pre-feasibility report and detailed project report, to counter him.
Mr. Lingam reportedly claimed that the Research Design and Standards Organisation, the R&D arm of the Railway Board, had stated in its report that trains would not be able to travel faster than 160 kmph on broad gauge.
