High-speed rail corridor proposed as SilverLine alternative; DMRC to prepare DPR

PONNANI: The Railways has proposed to build a high-speed rail corridor in the state as an alternative to the controversial SilverLine project. The Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) has been entrusted with preparing the Detailed Project Report (DPR), and former DMRC principal advisor E. Sreedharan will lead the project.

In the initial phase, the high-speed rail corridor will run from Thiruvananthapuram to Kannur, covering a distance of about 430 km. If the project is implemented, the travel time from Thiruvananthapuram to Kannur will be reduced to 3 hours and 15 minutes.

E. Sreedharan said that verbal approval has been received from Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw to prepare the DPR. He added that a formal order from the Railway Ministry is expected within 15 days. A DMRC office will start functioning at Ponnani on February 2. The DPR is expected to be completed within nine months, while the goal is to complete the project within five years.

• Thiruvananthapuram - Kochi: 1 hour 20 minutes
• Thiruvananthapuram - Kozhikode: 2 hours 30 minutes
• Thiruvananthapuram – Kannur: 3 hours 15 minutes

Key features of the project

• Initially, eight coaches; can be expanded to 12–16 coaches
• Capacity to carry 560 passengers
• Maximum speed of 200 kmph
• Stations at intervals of 20-25 km
• Future extension possible to Kasaragod, Mangaluru and Mumbai
• About 70% elevated track and 20% tunnel sections
• Connectivity to airports along the route
• Standard gauge track
• No goods train services
• No direct connection with existing railway lines
• Fares are expected to be about 1.5 times that of AC chair car fares
• Total of 22 stations

Proposed stations
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, Koyilandy, Vadakara, Thalassery and Kannur.

• Estimated project cost: Rs 86,000 crore (may rise up to Rs 1 lakh crore)
• Cost per kilometre: Rs 200 crore