High-Speed Rail Project Revival: E. Sreedharan Meets Kerala Chief Minister
Technocrat E. Sreedharan's meeting with Kerala Chief Minister V.D. Satheesan on Friday has revived hopes for a high-speed rail project in the state.
- The state government has not issued a formal statement but is keen on the proposal for the high-speed rail project.
- A report on the proposal was handed over to the Chief Minister by Mr. Sreedharan, according to sources.
The state government has sought two weeks' time to study the proposal and will hold further consultations before taking a final call.
Key Features of the Proposal
- Mainly conceived on pillars and tunnels instead of the embankment model
- Minimal land acquisition as the project would return land to owners once pillars are built
- 70% of the corridor would be elevated, with 20% running underground
The ₹1-lakh-crore project aims to connect four airports - Thiruvananthapuram, Kochi, Karipur, and Kannur - with trains operating at speeds of up to 200 kmph.
- Travel time from Thiruvananthapuram to Kochi: 1 hour 20 minutes
- Travel time from Thiruvananthapuram to Kozhikode: 2 hours 30 minutes
- Travel time from Thiruvananthapuram to Kannur: 3 hours 15 minutes
Impact of the High-Speed Rail Project
- Boost to the state's economy
- Improved connectivity between major cities
- Enhanced travel experience for passengers