THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The framework for Silverline, Kerala's semi high-speed rail project, has been prepared. The proposed railway line will be constructed between Thiruvananthapuram and Tirur as a Green Field Corridor, and between Tirur and Kasargod parallel to the existing railway alignment.

It was the Kerala Rail Development Corporation (K-Rail) that published the final route of the railway corridor. The Detailed Project Report (DPR) was approved in a meeting of the K-Rail board. As per the plan, the construction, which will begin later this year, is estimated to be completed in 5 years. It must be noted that certain changes were made in the alignment in order to avoid various cultural institutions and religious places.

The project, which will pass through 11 districts in the state, will cover 530.6 km and will have 11 stations. The busy route between Thiruvananthapuram and Ernakulam will be covered within one and a half hours. Apart from the Kakkanad station,a new station has been added near Nedumbassery International Airport. The Silverline project is worth Rs 63,941 crore.

The Green corridor will enable trains to operate at a speed of 200kmph.