Centre Prepares DMRC-Led High-Speed Rail From Thiruvananthapuram to Kannur

Overview

• E. Sreedharan says he will serve as chief consultant and reports that the Union government is advancing the corridor with DMRC as the implementing agency.
• The proposed line spans roughly 430 km with 22 stations, targets up to 200 kmph operations, and is slated to cut Thiruvananthapuram–Kannur travel to about three hours and 15 minutes.
• Design plans call for about 70% elevated and 20% underground alignment to limit land acquisition, with agricultural use allowed beneath viaducts under specified conditions.
• A project office has been set up in Ponnani and DPR work is due to start on February 2, with construction targeted to finish in five years after approvals.
• Costs are reported between Rs 86,000 crore and Rs 1 lakh crore with funding-share details not yet consistent across reports, as both the UDF and CPI(M) publicly welcome the proposal.