Thiruvananthapuram, February 24: Senior technical expert and former chairman of Konkan Railway, E. Sreedharan, has unveiled a revised proposal for a semi-high-speed rail corridor in Kerala. He claims that the new plan will be faster, more cost-effective, and require minimal land acquisition compared to previous proposals.
The proposed corridor will connect Thiruvananthapuram to Kannur, incorporating the towns of Pathanamthitta and Malappuram into its route. According to the proposal, trains will operate at speeds of up to 200 kilometers per hour, allowing for a complete journey in approximately 3 hours and 20 minutes. The estimated cost of the project is around ₹56,500 crores.
During a media briefing, Sreedharan stated that operational energy costs could be reduced by one-third, as the company managing the project will generate its own electricity. He emphasized that the high-speed railway will be service-oriented, with fares kept at a minimum viable level, comparable to AC chair car rates. Passenger comfort, safety, punctuality, and cleanliness will be prioritized.
The design indicates that trains will stop for one minute at regular stations and two minutes at major stations. Most of the proposed route will consist of elevated viaducts and tunnels, minimizing land acquisition and limiting environmental impact.
Sreedharan noted that this revised plan was developed after limited progress on his initial proposal and will soon be presented to the Government of India for consideration.
This announcement comes at a time when the Kerala government, led by Pinarayi Vijayan, is advancing a separate Regional Rapid Transit Corridor (RRTC) project. The state cabinet has granted in-principle approval for this initiative, which aims to develop a fast regional transport system from Thiruvananthapuram to Kasaragod in phases, with budget provisions for initial works already allocated.
The two parallel proposals reflect different approaches to Kerala’s growing transportation challenges. While Sreedharan’s plan focuses on high speed and elevated structures to control costs, the state government’s RRTC project is presented as an integrated regional transport system connecting major urban centers.
Detailed project reports for both initiatives are still pending finalization. In the coming months, it will be determined which model receives priority at the policy level and which proposal advances in Kerala’s transportation infrastructure.
My name is Narendra Jijhontiya. I am an experienced content writer with several years of expertise in the field. Currently, I contribute to Daily Kiran, creating engaging and informative content across a variety of categories including TECHNOLOGY, health, travel, education, and automobiles. My goal is to deliver accurate, insightful, and captivating information through my words to help readers stay informed and empowered.
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