THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The construction of the third line, which will enable trains to run at a speed of 160 km per hour in the state, will begin next year. The third lane will be constructed avoiding the existing curves as much as possible. So some areas and stations have to be avoided altogether.

The construction is in two phases. The first phase is from Ernakulam to Shornur. In the second phase, the third line will be constructed in Ernakulam - Thiruvananthapuram (Kochuveli) and Shornur - Mangalore sections. When both the phases become a reality, the state will be able to run trains at a speed of up to 160 km.

Shornur- Ernakulam speed feasibility study and survey has been completed. Southern Railway sources indicated that the remaining study will start soon. The work to complete the doubling of the Kayamkulam-Ernakulam road will also begin along with this. Ambalapuzha - Ernakulam distance of 82 km is left on this route.

Although a study was conducted on the Ernakulam-Shornur route with a planned speed of 130 km, a report was received from the Southern Railway headquarters that the train can run at a speed of 160 km. Therefore, the railway has sought a possible report for running trains at a speed of 160 kmph in the other two parts.

Currently, the average speed here is 70-80 kmph. Even Vande Bharat could only touch 100 kmph at some points.

The first phase will exceed 4000 crores

The cost of the first phase of the 130 km speed possible third road was fixed at 4000 crores. Increasing to 160 km will cost more. The total cost of the project will be known only after the survey. 250 hectares of land will be acquired for the Shornur-Eranakulam third road. The third road will run parallel to the existing dual carriageway for a longer distance.

📌 Nationwide jump in 160

The survey is also being conducted in Kerala as part of the railway policy of increasing the number of congested tracks to 160 km across the country. Road development on Delhi-Mumbai and Delhi-Howrah routes will be completed by next March. Construction work on Delhi-Chennai, Mumbai-Howrah, Mumbai-Chennai, Chennai-Howrah, Chennai-Bengaluru, Bengaluru-Hyderabad, Chennai-Hyderabad and Howrah-Puri routes has also started.

Trains will increase

Once the third line becomes a reality, more trains will be allowed in the state. At present, the state has 250 trains including shuttle daily. Railways says that if the third line comes, it can increase by at least 25%.

Kochuveli-Kasarkod Railway: 567 km

Curves: 182

Uncurved Third Line (expected): 522 km