What is Kerala Rail (K-rail)
Kerala Rail Development Corporation d/b/a K-Rail (stylized as K-rail) is a public sector joint venture company under the ownership of the Government of Kerala for the railway infrastructure development in Kerala.[1] The company was incorporated on 3 January 2017.[2]
The K-Rail is focused on the planning and implementation of rail line projects including surveys and preparation of Detailed Project Reports (DPR). K-Rail is also involved in procuring requisite approvals and does processing for the sanctioning of identified Projects.
1. Thiruvananthapuram–Kasargode Semi High Speed Rail Corridor
The Thiruvananthapuram–Kasargode Semi High Speed Rail Corridor named Silver Line is a proposed high-speed rail corridor in India that would connect the capital city of Kerala, Thiruvananthapuram with Kasaragod in Kerala.
| Project Specifications | |
|---|---|
| Project title | SilverLine (Semi High Speed Rail Corridor from Thiruvananthapuram to Kasaragod) |
| Total distance | 529.45 km (328.98 mi) |
| Travel time | 4 hours |
| Maximum train speed | 200 km/h (120 mph) |
| Number of stations | 11 |
| Proposed project cost | ₹66,079 crore (US$8.7 billion) |
| Tracks | 2 (up & down) |
| Rolling stock | 9 coaches initially |
| Expected daily ridership | 79,934 passengers per day in 2025-26 |
Rolling Stock:
EMU type train set of 9 cars which is extendable to 12-15 cars in the future
Passenger Capacity: 625 passengers (9 car set)
Seating: 2+2 seating (Business class), 3+2 seating (Standard class)
Signalling & Communication:
ETCS Level 2 with LTE
Power Supply & Traction:
From KSEBL through Solar & other Renewable Energy
Proposed fare: Rs. 2.75 per km in Standard Class.
Estimated project completion cost: Rs 63940.67 Crores
Structure of route length:
| Total Length | 529.45 km (328.98 mi) |
| Structure | |
| 88.41 km (54.94 mi) |
| 11.52 km (7.16 mi) |
| 101.73 km (63.21 mi) |
| 292.72 km (181.89 mi) |
| 24.78 km (15.40 mi) |
| 12.99 km (8.07 mi) |
2. Thalassery – Mysore New Broad-Gauge Line
The proposed project is a broad gauge railway line interconnection between Thalassery of central Malabar region of Kerala and Mysore, the cultural capital of Karnataka. The Konkan Railway Corporation has conducted feasibility studies and estimated a budget of ₹5,000 crore (US$660 million) for the 180.46 km (112.13 mi) out of the total 240 km (150 mi) BG line.[3]| Project Specifications | |
|---|---|
| Project title | Thalassery – Mysore New BG Line |
| Total distance | 240 km (150 mi) |
| Travel time | 5 hours |
| Maximum train speed | 200 km/h (120 mph) |
| Number of stations | TBA |
| Proposed project cost | ₹5,000 crore (US$660 million) for 180.46 Km |
| Tracks | TBA |
| Rolling stock | N/A |
| Expected daily ridership | N/A |
3. Nilambur – Nanjangud Railway Line
The Nilambur–Nanjangud railway line also called The Golden I T Corridor or Wayanad Railway is a proposed project to establish faster interconnectivity between the two states of Kerala and Karnataka through the construction of a direct short distance broad gauge line between Nilambur in the Malappuram district of Kerala and Nanjangud in Chamaraja Nagar district of Karnataka. The first proposal for such a line dates back to 1881. By the successful establishment of this broad gauge line, the existing distance between Ernakulam - Mysore rail route will be reduced to 361 km (224 mi) from 776 km (482 mi) and Ernakulam - Banglore will be reduced to 500 km (310 mi) from 637 km (396 mi). Estimated budget for this project is ₹4,000 crore (US$520 million).[6]
4. Coaching terminal complex
Kerala Rail Development Corporation Limited (KRDCL) has submitted a feasibility report to Southern Railway for the redevelopment of the marshalling yard at Ponnuruni to construct an international standard coaching terminal complex.The underutilized land here in Ponnurunni, at the heart of the city, will have the capacity to host trains, apart from having space for repair and maintenance of trains. The new terminal would become a new halt station for trains through Kottayam and will also be a terminal point for new trains that are allotted to the state. The Southern Railway has entrusted the Kerala Rail Development Corporation Ltd for preparing a feasibility report on the terminal in October 2020.The proposed terminal will also ease the long-standing traffic congestion in Kochi and accelerate the development of the railways in the state. The feasibility study says the project is technically feasible and financially viable and recommended for implementation to have higher mobility, meet the traffic growth and economic development of the State. The project can be completed over three years. The feasibility report suggests a station complex with 4 platforms, 1 pit line, 2 parcel lines, 2 stabling lines, wagon examination line in addition to retaining the existing coaching depot. The expected total investment through the project is Rs 1654 crore including the development of the railway infrastructure for Rs 325 crore. The plan is in such a way that the number of passenger platforms can be increased depending on the increasing traffic demand in the future.
