Keralas High-Speed Rail Project Remains Alive, New Studies Required Before DPR: CM Satyashan

Thiruvananthapuram, July 15: The proposed high-speed rail corridor, prepared by the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) under the guidance of Metro Man E. Sreedharan, has not been canceled. However, the Kerala government has made it clear that the project will only proceed after essential technical and economic studies are completed. This statement was made by Kerala Chief Minister V.D. Satyashan after a cabinet meeting on Wednesday.

Chief Minister Satyashan stated that an expert committee formed by the government reviewed the DMRC report and presented its recommendations. The committee found that while the DMRC report provides a significant foundation, it cannot be considered a comprehensive project report.

The proposal lacks a mandatory Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) and does not specify the extent of land acquisition needed for the corridor.

The Chief Minister emphasized that the government will first conduct a detailed study of the project’s financial and operational viability, including the potential for freight and logistics traffic. He noted that relying solely on passenger revenue will not make the project financially sustainable; therefore, additional revenue sources are necessary.

Only after these preliminary studies are completed will the government prepare a detailed project report (DPR), which will serve as the basis for the final implementation decision.

Satyashan stressed that the government will adopt a cautious and transparent approach before initiating such a large project. He stated, “We do not want to repeat the mistakes made by the previous Left government with the much-discussed K-Rail project, which ultimately had to be canceled. The government will thoroughly consider the way forward.”

Meanwhile, the cabinet also decided to strengthen project monitoring across all departments. A comprehensive project-mapping exercise will be conducted to identify delays causing an increasing financial burden on the state treasury.

The government aims to ensure timely execution of projects, establish accountability for delays, and improve overall efficiency in public infrastructure development by implementing a new accountability framework and implementation protocol.