• 170 crore for Varkala station

NEW DELHI: After sanctioning the high-speed Vandebharat train to Kerala, the Railways has come up with a Rs 156-crore project to develop Thiruvananthapuram Central Station as the main terminal and Kochuveli and Nemom stations as sub-terminals.

Central Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said in a press conference held at the Railway Ministry that the project is in compliance with the proposal given by Union Minister of State for External Affairs V Muraleedharan for the railway development of Thiruvananthapuram. V Muraleedharan was also present at the press conference.

The earlier announced plans to make the Thiruvananthapuram Central Station world-class at a cost of Rs 495 crore and to carry out the development of the Varkala station at a cost of Rs 170 crore in view of the Sivagiri pilgrimage will continue.

The aim is to provide better travel facilities around the city of Thiruvananthapuram which has many suburbs. Besides decongesting Thiruvananthapuram Central Station, the development of Kochuveli and Nemom stations as sub-terminals will be done in a way, that will benefit suburban areas. Thiruvananthapuram Central will be the first station and Kochuveli and Nemom will be renamed as the second and third stations in a contemporary way. Trains will be rescheduled at three terminals.

Vandebharat till Kasaragod: 160 kmph speed in future

• Vandebharat train from Thiruvananthapuram to Kannur is extended to Kasaragod.
• In the near future, Vandebharat trains will depart simultaneously from Thiruvananthapuram and Kasaragod.
• The track in Kerala will be modified for a speed of 160 kmph.
• Currently, the speed is 70-80 kmph. It will reach 160 kmph in three phases.
• Phase 1 - The Thiruvananthapuram-Kasaragod route will be upgraded to reach a speed of 110 kmph within a year and a half. 381 crores for this.
• New tracks will be laid. Sleepers will be changed.
• Phase 2: 130 kmph speed within 3-5 years. Land will be acquired to straighten the curves.
• Phase III: The track will be upgraded for a speed of 160 kmph. Outline for this within 7-8 months.
• The current speed limit in the country is 130 kmph.
• Sophisticated technology for a top speed of 160 kmph.
• Remodeling of the Ernakulam-Kayamkulam track is underway.

Double Signal:

The modern 'Kavach' automatic signal that can be seen from a distance by the engine driver will be implemented.

Sleeper Vandebharat in December

• One can travel by sitting in the Vandebharat trains now running in the country. They run for 500 - 600 kms.
• A Vandebharat sleeper that runs more than 500 km, will start in December-January.
• Thereafter, one train per week will be started.
• Vandebharat trains connecting cities within a radius of 50-150 km will also start in December.

'The steps are as suggested by Prime Minister Narendra Modi to develop railway lines in Kerala"

-Ashwini Vaishnaw, Railway Minister