Thiruvananthapuram, Jan 24 (NationPress) In a significant transformation of Kerala's railway infrastructure initiatives, the Centre, as stated by 'Metroman' E. Sreedharan, has opted to advance with a new high-speed rail project for the state, effectively eclipsing the state government's flagship Silver Line initiative.

This new corridor will be led by the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC), with seasoned technocrat E. Sreedharan serving as the chief consultant.

Sreedharan, renowned as the architect behind the Kochi Metro -- which has become a vital mobility solution for commuters and business travellers in Kerala's commercial hub -- mentioned that the Centre has directed officials to act promptly.

An official announcement is anticipated within a fortnight.

While formal government directives may take time, preliminary work has already commenced, with plans for an office to be established in Ponnani, Sreedharan's hometown.

According to him, the envisioned high-speed rail corridor will extend 430 kilometres from Thiruvananthapuram to Kannur, covering the distance in approximately three hours and 15 minutes.

The project aims to include 22 stations and ensure seamless connections to the state's three major airports: Thiruvananthapuram International Airport, Cochin International Airport at Nedumbassery, and Karipur Airport. This will vastly enhance Kerala's transport and logistics framework.

The alignment is meticulously designed to minimize land acquisition, a critical factor that hindered previous proposals.

Most of the corridor will be constructed on elevated tracks, with about 25 percent of it traversing through tunnels.

In elevated sections, land will be returned to owners for use once the pillar construction is finalized, subject to specific conditions.

The Detailed Project Report (DPR) is expected within nine months, with construction projected to conclude in five years at an estimated cost of Rs 1 lakh crore, with the state contributing 30 percent of the expenses.

This initiative signifies a clear pivot away from the Silver Line project, which was a favored initiative of Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan.

Despite the Chief Minister's repeated assurances that the Silver Line would materialize, the project failed to launch due to escalating concerns regarding land acquisition, environmental implications, and financial sustainability.

Sreedharan also indicated that the DPR for the Nilambur–Nanjangode railway line would be expedited, indicating a more extensive effort to modernize railway connectivity.

For Kerala, the Centre-supported initiative highlights a shift towards execution-focused, technically prudent infrastructure development, following years of political and policy stalemate.