In a significant development, Metro Man E. Sreedharan met with Chief Minister V.D. Satheesan to discuss an alternative high-speed rail corridor for Kerala. This proposal aims to replace the controversial K-Rail SilverLine project, requiring less land acquisition and minimizing environmental impact. The new 430-km corridor would connect Thiruvananthapuram and Kannur, with a significant portion as elevated tracks and some underground stretches, estimated to cost around Rs 1 lakh crore.
Sources suggest that the Chief Minister is considering Sreedharan’s proposal favorably due to its potential benefits. The project is expected to link four major airports in Kerala, offering a modern high-speed transit option for the state. Sreedharan has submitted an interim report on the project, with further consultations planned before a final decision is made by the government. Chief Minister Satheesan indicated that the government’s official stance on the project will be announced within two weeks.
Sreedharan, known for his expertise in infrastructure projects, has expressed readiness to collaborate with the government on the detailed planning of the high-speed rail corridor. The proposal has gained traction as a leading contender for Kerala’s modern transport system, following the scrapping of the previous SilverLine project by the Satheesan government. The new initiative aligns with the government’s vision for a practical and well-documented high-speed transit solution for the state.
