Veteran engineer E. Sreedharan has put forward an alternative plan for Kerala’s controversial SilverLine project, proposing a semi high-speed rail corridor between Thiruvananthapuram and Kannur instead. His plan focuses on minimal land acquisition by utilizing elevated tracks and tunnels, reducing displacement concerns linked to the original project.
The proposed 430-km rail corridor will feature 15 stations, allowing trains to run at a maximum speed of 200 km/h, cutting travel time between Thiruvananthapuram and Kannur to just 3.75 hours. Sreedharan suggests that the project should be executed by the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) instead of K-Rail, stating that DMRC can complete the Detailed Project Report (DPR) within eight months and finish construction in five years.
Additionally, the new corridor aims to integrate with India’s national high-speed rail network, linking Kerala to Chennai, Bengaluru, and Coimbatore in the future. With an estimated cost of ₹1 lakh crore, the proposal emphasizes elevated and underground rail tracks to avoid large-scale displacement of residents and landowners.
Sreedharan, a vocal critic of the original SilverLine project, argues that a 350 km/h bullet train is unnecessary for Kerala, and a semi high-speed rail with a 200 km/h limit is more practical. His revised plan is now under consideration as the state government explores alternatives for a faster, more feasible rail network.
