RRTS to replace K-Rail; Cabinet approves Thiruvananthapuram-Kasaragod high-speed rail corridor

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The Kerala Cabinet has given in-principle approval to implement the Thiruvananthapuram-Kasaragod Regional Rapid Transit System (RRTS), replacing the K-Rail project that was envisioned as the state’s dream high-speed rail corridor. The government has approved a 583-kilometre high-speed rail route. The new move comes after the SilverLine project failed to receive technical clearance from the Ministry of Railways.

The RRTS corridor will allow trains to run at speeds of 160 to 180 km/h. To reduce environmental impact and land acquisition, priority will be given to elevated tracks supported on pillars. The government believes this model is better suited to densely populated Kerala.

The project will follow the Delhi-Meerut RRTS model. In Delhi, the RRTS is integrated with the metro system and fully grade-separated. Similarly, in Kerala, RRTS stations in Kochi, Thiruvananthapuram, and Kozhikode will be connected to the existing metro networks.

Funding will be shared equally between the central and state governments, with each contributing 20% of the project cost. The remaining 60% will be raised as loans from international agencies. The government aims to complete the project in four phases over 12 years:

The first phase of the project, from Thiruvananthapuram to Thrissur (Travancore Line- 284 km), will begin construction in 2027 and is scheduled to be completed by 2033. The second phase will run from Thrissur to Kozhikode (Malabar Line), followed by the third phase from Kozhikode to Kannur, and the fourth phase from Kannur to Kasaragod.

Another key feature of the project is the possibility of future expansion with the cooperation of neighbouring states. The corridor can be extended via Palakkad to Coimbatore, from Thiruvananthapuram to Kanyakumari, and from Kasaragod to Mangaluru. The state government has said the entire project can be completed within 12 years.