High-speed rail project; E Sreedharan with new design; cost and time reduced

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Metroman E Sreedharan stepped forward with a new design for the high-speed rail project. He clarified that this is a new model that reduces time and cost. The new design has been prepared by including Pathanamthitta and Malappuram on the Thiruvananthapuram-Kannur route. Sreedharan pointed in the new design that will reach the destination in three hours and 20 minutes. The DMRC office in Ponnani will release the new design today.

The total cost of the project is estimated to be Rs 54,000 crore. The ticket price will be calculated at the rate of an AC chair car. It is estimated that the cost will be reduced as the new design will have more pillars and tunnels. Sreedharan said the new project will be less expensive than the Silver Line and RRTS. Land acquisition will also be less. Sreedharan informed that the revised design will be submitted to the Center soon.

E Sreedharan opened an office in Ponnani for the high-speed rail project earlier this month. Sreedharan had stated that he wanted to start field work by April and complete the project by June 1. Kerala had announced the high-speed rail project Regional Rapid Transit System (RRTS) hoping that it would be announced in the union budget, but was disappointing. Kerala was not included in the announcement of seven high speed railway corridors.