'Thiruvananthapuram-Kannur high-speed rail announcement within 15 days', says E Sreedharan

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: E Sreedharan, a renowned civil engineer known as ‘Metro Man’, received verbal approval from Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw to prepare the DPR for the high-speed rail. Sreedharan informed that plans are being prepared accordingly and that the office will be opened in Ponnani on February 2nd. Sreedharan clarified that the steps have been taken early, as it takes time to get official approval from the Railway Ministry.

He said that the agreement regarding the high-speed rail line was reached after his meeting with Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw to request that the Nanjangud railway line be included in this year's budget. The first plan proposed a high-speed rail connection at a speed of 350 km with the first station in the range of 60-64 km. Instead of that, the maximum speed now being considered is 200 km. Stations will come in the range of 20-25 km. There will be 22 stations, Sreedharan explained.

The stops are Thiruvananthapuram Central, Thiruvananthapuram Airport, Varkala, Kollam, Kottarakkara, Adoor, Chengannur, Kottayam, Vaikom, Ernakulam (near Palarivattom Bridge), Aluva, Nedumbassery, Thrissur, Kunnamkulam, Edappal, Tirur, Malappuram (Karipur Airport), near Kozhikode Railway Station, Koilandy, Vadakara, Thalassery, and Kannur.

Initially, there will be eight coaches. 560 people can travel in the train. Later, it will be changed depending on the number of passengers. The project cost is 86,000 crores. This can go up to one lakh crores. The Railways will bear 51 per cent of the project cost. The central and state governments will bear Rs 60,000 crores. The project will be completed in five years. The speciality of high-speed rail is that it will reduce accidents and travel costs. An alternative route will be set for travel. It will be built on standard gauge. There will be no service for goods trains.

The route will be 70 per cent elevated and 20 per cent tunnelled. The travel route will connect airports. E Sreedharan clarified that there has been no discussion with the state government, and the railways will announce the project within 15 days.