Kerala's Silver Line Project Holds Potential For Integration With National Bullet Train Network: DMRC Officer

The Silver Line project can be replaced with the "speed rail" and it can be connected to the national high-speed rail network, increasing the project's long-term viability, suggested 'Metro man', E Sreedharan.

According to a senior officer from DMRC, Sreedharan's proposal suggests using a standard gauge for the speed rail, similar to the technology employed in the ongoing Mumbai-Ahmedabad high-speed rail project.

Additionally, a preliminary feasibility report has been prepared for the Chennai-Bangalore-Mysore-Coimbatore high-speed bullet train project. Therefore, the proposed Kerala 'speed train' standard gauge could be integrated into this network, provided the technology remains consistent.

The officer emphasised that standard gauge is the established technology for high-speed trains. Since 1964, Japan has been operating bullet trains on standard gauge tracks without any reported accidents or mishaps.

The argument for adopting a broad gauge for the Silver Line or the new 'speed rail' is deemed unworthy of consideration. This is because the speed of these trains cannot exceed 200 kmph.

Vande Bharat trains, currently operating on broad gauge, are currently running at speeds of 160-170 kmph. There are ongoing tests to determine if these trains can reach a speed of 200 kmph. In comparison, bullet trains can travel at speeds of 300-350 kmph on standard gauge tracks.

According to Sreedharan, the construction of a new high-speed railway line from Thiruvananthapuram to Kannur could be completed in just five or six years at a cost of less than Rs 1 lakh crore.

He suggested that entrusting the project to either the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) or the Indian Railways would be an efficient approach.

The section from Thiruvananthapuram to Kasaragod was planned to be built by K-Rail, a joint venture of the Kerala government and the Railway Ministry.

The DMRC officer agrees with Sreedharan's stance that the 'speed rail' project should not be handled by K-Rail or Kerala Rail Development Corporation Ltd.

According to the officer, K-Rail was awarded a contract by the Indian Railway in 2017 to construct 27 level-crossing fly-over conversion projects.

However, even after five and a half years, K-Rail has not started to work on converting 26-level crossings into road-over-bridges. Only recently have they begun work in Nilambur.

Sreedharan stated that he is still waiting to hear from the Chief Minister regarding the revisions suggested for the Silver Line project, according to The New Indian Express report.

Silver Line project

The Kerala government's ambitious Silver Line project is expected to cut travel time from Thiruvananthapuram to Kasaragod to four hours. The trains operate at a speed of 200 km per hour.

The Silver Line alignment of line has been selected per Kerala's longitudinal geography to cover the area and provide maximum benefit.

The Silver Line expects a ridership of about 70,000 passengers a day. It is estimated to carry about 1,330 travellers in one direction during peak hours.

Multi-lateral agencies fund the project, and the Railways and the state government will need to provide land and other allied expenses.

The project also aims to introduce a roll-on/roll-off train service to transport vehicles such as trucks, cars and lorries in an environmentally friendly manner.

Silver Line trains will depart from the state capital and stop at Kollam, Chengannur, Kottayam, Ernakulam, Thrissur, Tirur, Kozhikode, and Kannur before arriving in Kasaragod.

Why Silver Line?

Silver Line will bring remarkable changes in local commute, by improving the travel time and quality of transportation. Every kilometre travelled by a person on semi high-speed rail is a kilometre not travelled in an automobile.

There will be a substantial reduction in road accidents due to decongestion on roads. Silver Line also provides last mile connectivity which will transform people’s perception towards public transportation.