Kerala Rail Board approves Rs 639.4 billion semi high-speed rail corridor

"It is a dream project called ‘Silver Line’, the SHSR corridor will spur the economic and social development of the state and will enable the running of trains at an operational speed of 200 Km per hour. This will facilitate to reach Ernakulam in one-and-a-half hours and up north Kasaragod in four hours from the state capital," said an official working with the state administration. According to the DPR, the alignment of the semi high-speed corridor is the same as that was approved earlier as part of the feasibility report, except for some minor modifications of plus or minus 10 to 50 meters to avoid religious/heritage structures. The construction of 530.6 km long semi high-speed corridor is expected to be completed by 2025 with the work starting this year if final approval received from the Central cabinet. V Ajith Kumar, Managing Director, Kerala Rail Development Corporation (K-Rail) said:

Cutting through the entire length of the state covering 11 districts and touching major towns, Silverline is going to be a game-changer as far as infrastructure development of Kerala is concerned. It will increase connectivity and bring economic hubs, airports, health facilities and cultural amenities across the state close. The corridor, which will have 11 stations including Cochin airport, would give a big boost to tourism which plays a major role in the state’s economy.

Ahead of the preparation of the DPR a series of scientific studies including Aerial LIDAR survey and environmental impact assessment had already been completed before finalizing the final alignment.