Alternative rail project in parallel with K Rail under Centre’s consideration; E Sreedharan to meet union minister

NEW DELHI: The Centre is considering the project proposed by Metroman E Sreedharan as an alternative rail project in parallel with Silver Line. Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan informed this after meeting Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw. Metroman E Sreedharan submitted the project to the Centre last February.

Kerala has asked Centre to inform their stand on the alternative route. E Sreedharan will meet the union minister in Delhi. After that, the center will inform Kerala of its stand. Minister V Abdurahiman also informed that it has also decided to make the Angamaly Sabari railway a reality. A central expert team will reach Kerala for this purpose.

The Silver Line was a project that runs trains at a speed of 200 kmph on the Thiruvananthapuram-Kasargod route at twenty-minute intervals. The center did not give permission citing environmental and technical issues. Sreedharan's Thiruvananthapuram-Kannur alternative route is through a few pillars and tunnels after acquiring less land. Like the Silver Line, it is also at a speed of 200 kmph on standard gauge. There are stations at intervals of 30 km.

This alternative project will cost more than Rs one lakh crore. E. Sreedharan's alternative is a 'standalone path' in standard gauge with a maximum speed of 200 km. This is in line with the state government's Silver Line. Sreedharan's only difference is that a large part of the path should be in pillars and tunnels, a station should be there every 30 km, and the path should be sufficient up to Kannur.