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Veteran rail engineer E. Sreedharan has initiated groundwork for a proposed high-speed rail corridor in Kerala by setting up a project office in Ponnani, signalling progress despite the state not being named in the Union Budget's announced rail corridors. The office will support public consultations, preliminary planning and preparation of a detailed project report for a line between Thiruvananthapuram and Kannur, designed for trains running up to 200 kmph. Fieldwork is expected to begin before the monsoon, with alignment and station locations to be decided through on-site assessments.
E. Sreedharan has formally taken the first on-ground step towards a high-speed rail corridor in Kerala with the opening of a project office in Ponnani, Malappuram district. The office was inaugurated by his wife, Radha, and will function as a base for early project activities, including interaction with local communities and coordination of initial technical work. According to Sreedharan, the space is intended to address public queries and ensure that concerns are understood before physical work begins. Advertisement
He has indicated that a series of public meetings will be held across districts along the proposed route, starting from Malappuram and later extending north and south. These meetings are meant to explain the project's intent, listen to feedback, and reduce apprehensions that often accompany large infrastructure projects. Staffing at the project office is expected to be done in phases as activities expand.
The proposed corridor will run from Thiruvananthapuram to Kannur and is being planned for a maximum operational speed of 200 kmph. The initial concept includes around 22 stations, with their exact locations to be finalised after field visits and technical assessments. Sreedharan has said that groundwork and basic studies will be completed before the monsoon, as heavy rains could delay surveys and site inspections.
Preparation of the detailed project report will be a key next step, after which the proposal will be placed before the Railway Ministry. While the project was not included in the recent Union Budget announcement of seven high-speed rail corridors, Sreedharan has expressed confidence that a technically sound and publicly accepted plan will eventually receive central consideration. The Kerala government's views are expected to be taken into account once the DPR is ready.
The renewed push comes against the backdrop of earlier attempts to improve high-speed connectivity in the state, including the SilverLine project, which was stalled due to funding and public concerns. In parallel, the state has been examining alternatives such as a regional rapid transit system along a similar north-south axis.
Source PTI
FAQ
Q1. What recent step has been taken to advance the high-speed rail plan in Kerala?
Veteran rail engineer E. Sreedharan has taken an on-ground step to advance the proposed high-speed rail corridor in Kerala by setting up a project office in Ponnani, Malappuram district. The opening of this office signals the start of preliminary activities such as public consultations, coordination of technical work, and early planning for the project, even though Kerala was not named in the Union Budget's list of proposed rail corridors.
Q2. What will be the role of the project office in Ponnani?
The project office will serve as a base for initial planning activities and engagement with local communities along the proposed route. According to Sreedharan, the office is intended to address public questions, understand concerns, and create awareness about the project before physical groundwork begins. It will also support coordination for surveys, staffing, and preparation of technical inputs needed for further planning.
Q3. How will public consultations be conducted for the proposed rail corridor?
A series of public meetings is planned across districts along the proposed alignment. These consultations will begin in Malappuram and later extend to other districts in both the northern and southern directions. The meetings are aimed at explaining the project's objectives, gathering feedback, and reducing public apprehension, which has been a challenge for earlier large infrastructure projects in the state.
Q4. What are the key features of the proposed high-speed rail corridor?
The proposed corridor is planned between Thiruvananthapuram and Kannur and is designed for trains running at speeds of up to 200 kmph. The initial concept includes around 22 stations along the route. However, the final alignment and station locations will be determined only after detailed field visits, technical assessments, and on-site evaluations are completed.
Q5. When is the fieldwork expected to begin and why is timing important?
Sreedharan has stated that groundwork and basic studies are expected to begin before the onset of the monsoon. This timing is considered important because Kerala's heavy rains can significantly delay surveys, inspections, and field assessments. Completing these activities early will help maintain momentum in preparing the project's foundational studies.
Q6. What are the next steps and how does this plan relate to earlier rail proposals in Kerala?
The preparation of a detailed project report will be the next major step, after which the proposal will be submitted to the Railway Ministry for consideration. Although the project was not included in the recent Union Budget, Sreedharan believes a technically sound and publicly accepted plan can still receive central approval. The initiative follows earlier attempts to improve high-speed connectivity in Kerala, including the stalled SilverLine project, while the state continues to explore alternative north-south transit solutions.
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