Systra submits study report of Thiruvananthapuram-Kasaragod HSR line

Thiruvananthapuram (Urban Transport News): Paris based consultancy firm Systra recently submitted feasibility study report for 531-km proposed semi-high-speed railway line from Thiruvananthapuram to Kasaragod to improve connectivity, reduce congestion in the State’s road network and make travel hassle-free.

Project Highlights

• Name of project: Thiruvananthapuram-Kasaragod Semi High-Speed Rail Corridor
• Estimated Project Cost: Rs.56,000 crores
• Length of Project: 531 km
• No. of stations: 10 (Kochuveli, Kollam, Chengannur, Kottayam, Ernakulam, Thrissur, Tirur, Kozhikode, Kannur, and Kasaragod)
• Train type: Vande Bharat Express (Train 18 series)
• Train Speed: up to 180 km/h

According to the report, the proposed high-speed rail project along with dedicated railway lines to Thiruvananthapuram International Airport and Cochin International Airport with railway stations for inter-modal transport has been found ‘feasible and financially viable’.

To cover the north-south rail corridor from Kochuveli to Kasaragod in four hours, the semi high-speed trains will run at the speed of 130-180 km/h. The report says that the new generation engineless semi high-speed train Vande Bharat Express (train 18) has been proposed to ply on the corridor.

According to the report, the semi-high-speed trains will halt at 10 stations namely Kochuveli, Kollam, Chengannur, Kottayam, Ernakulam, Thrissur, Tirur, Kozhikode, Kannur, and Kasaragod. The report further says that the third and fourth railway lines, traversing through 11 districts, except Alappuzha, Idukki, and Wayanad, will be away from the existing railway line covering a distance of 300 kilometres in Thiruvananthapuram-Shoranur section. It will be parallel to the existing rail line with railway bypasses at Vadakara and Thalaserry from Thirunavaya to Kasaragod.

According to the report submitted by Systra to Kerala Railway Development Corporation Limited (KRDCL), the special purpose vehicle set up to execute ‘viable’ projects on a cost-sharing basis between the State and Railways, the estimated cost of the project will be ₹56,000 crore including cost of land acquisition. Talking with The Hindu, officials from Transport Department said,

The project has been found to be financially viable with a Rate of Return of 6% and the feasibility report needs the clearance of the KRDCL, the State government, and Railways to move ahead.

The semi high-speed railway line has been proposed through thinly populated areas to lessen displacement of people which will require only 1,200 hectares land. However, the final location survey will be done as the land from Railways and the Cochin International Airport Limited (CIAL) is needed for laying the line and constructing the stations. In the report, the maximum speed for the rail line is proposed at 200 km/h but the trains will run at a maximum of 180 km/h.

The report says that initially train sets with nine cars will be introduced and later it will be extended to 12 and 15 cars. The coaches will be made of aluminum under the 'Make in India' program.

Sources said that it will be a green project tapping solar energy. As much as 21% of road traffic is to be shifted to rail and economic savings had been worked out to be 1.8 lakh metric tonnes of carbon.

It has been expected that the construction work on this project will begin in 2020 as the works to prepare the Detailed Project Report has been initiated. The final DPR will be ready in October this year for approval.