Thiruvananthapuram : Silver Line, the semi-high speed rail corridor, set to span Thiruvananthapuram- Kasaragod in just four hours, has now moved one step further. The cabinet on Wednesday, approved the Detailed Project Report(DPR) and proposed alignment submitted by the implementing agency, Kerala Rail Development Corporation Ltd(K-Rail). The project will cost Rs 63,941 crore and would be completed in next five years.
Post the meeting, the government issued directives for K-Rail to approach financial institutions and nationalized banks in order to arrange funds toward land acquisitions. The Corporation will also talk with JICI, KAFW, ADB, AIIB for the purpose.
Silver Line will have its stations networked at Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam, Chengannur, Kottayam, Ernakulam, Nedumbassery Airport, Thrissur, Tirur, Kozhikode, Kannur and Kasaragod.
200 Km per hour
The new train line will have speeds between 180 - 200 km, spanning 531.45 km between Thiruvananthapuram in four hours. Once operational, a journey from the capital to Ernakulam would take just one and half hour. The high-speed trains will have 9 coaches each, with 645 passenger capacity. Travel options would exist in “Standard” or “Business” class.
Next Nod To Come From Centre
For commencement, the DPR now has to pass approvals from the Railway Board, Neethi Ayog and Central Cabinet. It has been decided to acquire lands measuring 15 - 25 m width in stretches that are densely populated. Good amounts shall be disbursed in compensation to individuals who stand to lose their land.
Between Thiruvananthapuram and Tirur, the semi-high speed tracks will deviate from the existing rail lines, while for stretches further from Tirur up to Kasaragod, they will run parallel to the ones existing. The feasibility report held deviated alignment for the project at Vadakara and Mahe. That has been altered and tracks will instead along the existing rail lines there.
Two Travel Classes
Silver Line trains will have two travel classes -Standard and Business. Business class will have one seat each on two sides of the aisle, while Standard will have three to one side and two on the other.
Sky Staion At Thrissur
Semi-high speed rail station at Thrissur with interchange facilities would be located at an elevated level. It would be positioned to the left side of existing station.
A cargo station, meant for trains with special freight carriages, is also being mulled close to Muriad in Thrissur.
At Tirur, the tracks will run parallel to existing rail lines and station will be located at ground level, 3.82 km to the left of present one.
Undeground Station For Kozhikode
Kozhikode will likely have its Silver Line station located underground. There, the project aims to position new lines close to the existing system, so as to enable quick connectivity between the two stations. At Kannur, the new station will be located to the right of current one and would be solar-powered.
