Centre clears ₹66,000-cr SHSR rail corridor in Kerala

The Centre has given in-principle approval to the ₹66,000 crore Thiruvananthapuram-Kasaragod semi-high speed rail (SHSR) corridor. In this connection, orders were issued by the railways for a joint venture project between Kerala government and the Ministry of Railways. SHSR, which has been named as Silver Line, will cut travel time between Thiruvananthapuram and Kasaragod from 12 hours to 4 hours. Kerala Rail Development Corporation (KRDCL) is the implementing agency for the 540-km double-line project for building third and fourth lines between Thiruvananthapuram and Kasaragod. Managing Director, KRDCL, V. Ajith Kumar said that the state cabinet approved the project after a year-long feasibility study conducted by KRDCL. During his recent visit to Japan, the state CM held discussions with Japanese experts for the project, which is seen as a game-changer in Kerala's infrastructure and economic development. SHSR is to be implemented with minimum land acquisition. Trains will pass through 11 of the 14 districts at a speed of 200 km per hour.