Silverline abandoned, High-speed rail line gets green light

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: As it is almost certain that the Silver Line will not get central approval, the state government decided to give green light to the high-speed rail project spearheaded by Metroman E Sreedharan. The budget stated that the south-north high-speed rail corridor was essential for Kerala. The government said they will keep no reservations about the name or the technology.

The central government proposed to prepare the DPR of the project within nine months. The travel time is supposed to be three and a half hours from Thiruvananthapuram to Kannur. The government aims to get approval for the project as an alternative to the Silver Line by using E. Sreedharan, who is personally close to Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Since the land acquisition for the new line, which mostly passes through pillars and tunnels, will be less, no public opposition over the project is expected. After the pillars are constructed, the land can be handed over to the owners. Agriculture and cattle breeding can also be done in these areas. There will be restrictions on the construction of buildings and the planting of large trees.

The budget states that the South-North Rail Corridor will be the backbone of Kerala. High-speed rail is essential for Kerala's economy and trade. The budget also gave slight mention to the K-Rail project and said it would soon be revived.

👉Stops at all major cities at intervals of 25-30 km

👉You can reach Kannur from Thiruvananthapuram in 3.5 hours, Kochi in 1.20 hours and Kozhikode in 2.30 hours.

👉The number of coaches with 560 passengers can be increased to 16 in the future.

👉The budget also demanded a Thiruvananthapuram-Kasaragod Regional Rapid Transit System.

👉100 crores were allocated for the first phase. The Union Ministry of Urban Development has expressed its support. It will be implemented in four phases. Rapid rail through pillars can be integrated with urban metros.

👉Rapid does not need permission from the Railways. It will run on tracks like those of the metro at ground level, over bridges and in tunnels.