Silver Line (K-Rail)
{{short description|Proposed rail line in India}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=January 2016}}
{{Use Indian English|date=January 2016}}
{{Infobox rail line
| name = Silver Line
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| type = Higher-speed rail
| system =
| status = Planning
| locale = Kerala, India
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| start = Kasaragod
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| stations = 11
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| website = {{URL|keralarail.com}}
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| lastextension = Future extension to Mangalore from Kasaragod
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| owner = K-Rail (Kerala Rail Development Corporation)
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| character = Elevated, underground, surface and grade-separated, dedicated passenger tracks
| depot = Kollam
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| linelength_km = 532
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| tracks = 2
| gauge = {{track gauge|1,435mm|allk=on}}
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| electrification = 25 kV 50 Hz AC Overhead line
| speed = {{Cvt|220|km/h}} (maximum)
{{Cvt|200|km/h}} (maximum operating speed)
| signalling = ETCS Level-2
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| map_name = Proposed stations
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The Silver Line is a proposed higher-speed rail line in India that would connect Thiruvananthapuram, the capital city, and Kasaragod, in Kerala state. It will have an operating speed of {{convert|200|km/h}}, Maximum Design Speed: {{cvt|220|km/h}}, structures designed for {{cvt|250|km/h}} allowing trains to cover the {{convert|532|km|adj=on}} distance in less than four hours, compared to the present 10 to 12 hours it takes to traverse this distance. Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam, Chengannur, Kottayam, Kochi, Thrissur, Tirur, Kozhikode, Kannur, and Kasaragod will be the stations in this corridor.{{cite news|date=17 April 2020|title=DPR of semi-high-speed railway line from TVM to Kasaragod approved|publisher=Mathrubhumi|url=https://english.mathrubhumi.com/news/kerala/dpr-of-semi-high-speed-railway-line-from-tvm-to-kasaragod-approved-1.4695454|access-date=17 April 2020}} The project is temporarily halted by the state government till the Central government approval.
The Detailed Project Report of the project is being prepared by K-Rail (Kerala Rail Development Corporation Limited), a joint venture company between Ministry Of Railways and Government of Kerala.
The railway line aims to ease transport congestion between the northern and southern regions of the state, whilst also improving travel times and mitigate climate change. The project includes a roll-on/roll-off (RORO) train service that conveys road vehicles, and enhanced feeder public transport services from stations.{{Cite web|date=5 September 2019|title=Traders in T'puram pledges total support for SHSR project|url=http://www.uniindia.com/~/traders-in-t-puram-pledges-total-support-for-shsr-project/States/news/1719622.html|access-date=4 February 2020}} In November 2022, the Kerala government recalled the revenue officials, who were deployed to conduct a social impact assessment study for land acquisition due to massive protests.{{Cite web |date=2022-11-28 |title=What is Kerala's SilverLine rail project, why has the govt recalled officials involved in it? |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/what-is-keralas-silverline-rail-project-government-recalled-officials-8294757/ |access-date=2022-11-28 |website=The Indian Express}}
Background
Kerala has {{convert|162000|km}} of roads which is 4.2% of India's total length. The existing railway network in the state is also not suitable for faster travel. The average speed of journey by rail and road in the state is about 30% to 40% lower than in the neighbouring states.
The journey becomes even slower in the rainy seasons because of deterioration in the condition of the roads and railway lines. Because of the adverse terrain, there is little scope of economically raising speed of trains on the existing railway line in the corridor. With the above in mind, the Government has decided to build the Thiruvananthapuram - Kasaragod corridor as a Semi high-speed line, covering the coastal region which is the most densely populated region of the state.
Kerala being a densely populated state, most of the commuters depend on the conventional modes of transport. The proposed Silver Line (SHSR) will bring about a remarkable change in local commute, by improving the travel time and quality of transportation. There will be a substantial reduction in road accidents due to the reduction of congestion on roads. This also includes the last mile connectivity using aggregate services and feeder services, which will transform the people's perception towards public transportation. The Silver Line (previously called as SHSR) will also be duly integrated with the existing Indian Railway network for the benefit of interstate and long distance travellers.
Environmental and social impact
The studies regarding the environmental impact have not yet been completed. Environmentally, materials like manufactured sand, rock and wood materials need to be considered.
Transport systems bring enormous benefits to society providing access and mobility that are essential for modern societies and economic growth. However, transport activities have many undesirable external impacts as well, such as CO2 emissions, congestion, accidents, land use and many more. The urge to fight these challenges is therefore pushing economies towards more efficient, and sustainable solutions.
Silver Line is claimed to be a suitable alternative as it saves time, resources, and helps in reduction of carbon footprint by relying on renewable energy sources for its stations, providing last-mile connectivity to and from the station using electric vehicles (EVs), and facilities for parking/charging EVs at the stations. The proposed RORO services also contribute in reducing pollution and congestion compared to road transport of goods vehicles.
History
The Thiruvananthapuram–Mangalore high-speed rail corridor was mooted in the 2009-10 budget speech of the LDF government. The project was cleared by the State Cabinet in February 2010.{{cite web|url=http://www.thehindu.com/news/states/kerala/no-cause-for-concern-over-high-speed-rail-chandy/article3935678.ece |title=No cause for concern over high speed rail: Chandy |work=The Hindu |date= 25 September 2012 |access-date=11 March 2013}}{{cite web|url=http://www.ndtv.com/article/south/kerala-chief-minister-assures-people-on-high-speed-rail-project-272085 |title=Kerala Chief Minister assures people on high speed rail project |publisher=NDTV |date= 25 September 2012 |access-date=11 March 2013}} The Kerala State Industrial Development Corporation (KSIDC) was appointed as the nodal agency to develop the project.
In September 2011, a special purpose vehicle, the Kerala High Speed Rail Corporation Ltd. (KHSRC) was formed to implement the project.{{cite web|url=http://www.yentha.com/news/view/1/keralas-high-speed-dilemma |title=Kerala's High Speed Dilemma |publisher=Yentha.com |date= 8 August 2012 }} The Ministry of Railways has stated that the project is feasible and has expressed full support for the project.{{cite news|url=http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Kochi/article3891756.ece |title=1,700 families to be displaced for high speed rail project |work=The Hindu |date= 13 September 2012 |access-date= 11 March 2013|last1=Krishnakumar |first1=G. }} The Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) conducted the pre-feasibility study of the project. The KHSRC requested the DMRC to submit a detailed project report (DPR) for the project by November 2012. However, the DPR faced several delays.{{cite news|author=S. Anil Radhakrishnan |url=http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Thiruvananthapuram/high-speed-corridor-dmrc-needs-more-time-to-submit-report/article4494444.ece |title=High Speed Corridor: DMRC needs more time to submit report |work=The Hindu |date=10 March 2013 |access-date=2013-03-11}}
In February 2014, the Indian media reported that the state government shelved the project. The Times of India quoted unnamed sources as stating, "It has not been scrapped officially, but it is at a dead stage. The estimated project cost has almost doubled now, and the more the delay, the costlier the project would become." The cost of constructing the project was estimated to be {{INRConvert|1.80|lc}}, much higher than the originally estimated {{INRConvert|1|lc}}.[http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/thiruvananthapuram/High-speed-rail-project-shelved-by-planning-board/articleshow/30481571.cms High speed rail project shelved by planning board – The Times of India]{{Cite web|url=http://english.manoramaonline.com/cgi-bin/MMOnline.dll/portal/ep/contentView.do?contentId=16193075&tabId=1&programId=11565535|title = Home}}{{Cite web |url=http://news.oneindia.in/thiruvananthapuram/kerala-shelves-high-speed-rail-corridor-project-1397057.html |title=Kerala pauses work on high-speed rail corridor project - News Oneindia |access-date=21 February 2014 |archive-date=1 March 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140301134119/http://news.oneindia.in/thiruvananthapuram/kerala-shelves-high-speed-rail-corridor-project-1397057.html |url-status=dead }} 80% of the cost was proposed to be funded by JICA, and the remaining 20% by the State and Central governments.
In March 2014, T. Balakrishnan, Chairman and Managing Director of KHSRCL, denied that the project had been scrapped.{{cite news|url=http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/kerala/highspeed-rail-to-take-kochikasaragod-route/article5782146.ece |title=High-speed rail to take Kochi-Kasaragod route |work=The Hindu |date= 14 March 2014 |access-date= 14 March 2014|last1=Pillai |first1=R. Ramabhadran }} In October 2014, Kerala Chief Minister Shri Oommen Chandy stated that the government wished to implement the project, and that the project was stalled due to protests. He also stated that the survey had been completed and the project would be implemented only with the support of people.{{cite web|url=http://www.mangalam.com/print-edition/keralam/235504 |title=അതിവേഗ റെയില്: പിന്തുണച്ചാല് നടപ്പാക്കുമെന്നു മുഖ്യമന്ത്രി |publisher=Mangalam |date= 5 October 2014 |access-date= 5 October 2014}}
In June 2016, the newly elected Left government asked the DMRC to complete the DPR.{{citation needed|date=February 2017}} The DMRC submitted the detailed project report (DPR) to the state government in July 2016. The DMRC proposed constructing a {{convert|430|km|adj=on}} line from Kochuveli in Thiruvananthapuram up to Kannur, with an option to extend the line up to Mangalore in a later phase.{{cite news|last1=Radhakrishnan|first1=S. Anil|title=From capital to Kannur in two hours|url=http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Thiruvananthapuram/From-capital-to-Kannur-in-two-hours/article14484932.ece|website=The Hindu|date=12 July 2016|access-date=6 February 2017|language=en}} The Union Government approved the DMRC's draft report on 9 July 2016.{{cite web|title=TVM-Kannur high-speed rail: Centre approves draft report|url=http://english.mathrubhumi.com/news/kerala/tvm-kannur-high-speed-rail-centre-approves-draft-report-english-news-1.1190035|website=Mathrubhumi|access-date=6 February 2017}}
In August 2016, the KHSRCL announced that it would conduct survey to determine public opinion of the proposed alignment. The survey is intended to prevent any possible protests over land acquisition and suppress dissent from opponents of development projects in the state.{{cite news|last1=Radhakrishnan|first1=S. Anil|title=Public opinion on high-speed rail corridor to be elicited|url=http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Thiruvananthapuram/Public-opinion-on-high-speed-rail-corridor-to-be-elicited/article14578903.ece|website=The Hindu|date=20 August 2016|access-date=6 February 2017|language=en}} The results of the survey, published in February 2017, found that 86% of the 13,447 people interviewed across 110 assembly constituencies in 11 districts were in favour of the project. Only 9% of those surveyed opposed the project, while 5% remained neutral. 73% of the respondents were aware of the project before being interviewed. Of those who had not heard of the project, 82% expressed support, while 88% of those who were aware expressed support. Supporters of the project believe that it will reduce travel time, reduce greenhouse gas emissions and accidents, and generate development in the state. Opponents of the project argue that the project will result in large-scale displacement of people as a result of land acquisition, take away the livelihood of farmers whose land is acquired, waste a large sum of money, and reduce the number of trees.{{cite web|title=86 percent people in Kerala want Thiruvananthapuram-Kannur high-speed rail corridor, reveals survey|url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/cities/thiruvananthapuram/2017/feb/03/86-percent-people-in-kerala-want-thiruvananthapuram-kannur-high-speed-rail-corridor-reveals-survey-1566408.html|website=The New Indian Express|access-date=6 February 2017}}{{cite web|title=Keralites 'in favour of high-speed rail project'|url=http://www.gulf-times.com/story/531413/Keralites-in-favour-of-high-speed-rail-project|website=Gulf-Times|access-date=6 February 2017|language=ar|date=2 February 2017}}{{cite news|last1=Radhakrishnan|first1=S. Anil|title=Kerala gives a thumbs up to high-speed rail|url=http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/Kerala-gives-a-thumbs-up-to-high-speed-rail/article17155929.ece|website=The Hindu|access-date=6 February 2017|language=en|date=2 February 2017}}
In 2019, a survey by French consultant company Systra found that the Kochuveli-Kasaragod rail corridor could be financially viable.
Systra found that the project can recoup 6% of its cost every year after linking Thiruvananthapuram and Kochi airports.{{cite web|title=Kerala's semi high-speed rail project likely to be profitable: Survey|url=https://english.manoramaonline.com/news/kerala/2019/05/20/semi-high-speed-rail-project-in-kerala-maybe-profitabe.html|website=Onmanorama|access-date=20 May 2019}} The state agency, Kerala State Remote Sensing and Environment Centre (KSERC), is supposed to submit the survey report by March 2020. After land acquisition order, a detailed project report (DPR) will be prepared by the Government of Kerala.{{cite web|title=Kerala's semi high-speed rail project likely to be profitable: Survey|url=https://english.mathrubhumi.com/news/kerala/semi-high-speed-rail-detailed-project-report-to-be-submitted-in-march-1.4554801|website=Mathrubhumi|date=24 February 2020|access-date=24 February 2020}}
Project details
| class="wikitable" | |
| colspan="2"|Project Specifications | |
|---|---|
| Project title | Silver Line |
| Total distance | {{convert|532.185|km|abbr=on}} |
| Travel time | less than 4 hours |
| Maximum speed | {{convert|220|km/h|abbr=on}} |
| Maximum operating speed | {{convert|200|km/h|abbr=on}} |
| Number of stations | 11 |
| Proposed project cost | {{INRConvert|63940.67|c}} |
| Tracks | 2 (up & down) |
| Rolling stock | 9 coaches initially |
| Expected daily ridership | 67,740 pax{{cite web|title='Semi-high speed railway line is Kerala's transportation solution for future'|url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/states/kerala/2019/oct/27/semi-high-speed-railway-line-is-keralas-transportation-solution-for-future-2053517.html|website=Gulf-Times|access-date=5 November 2019|location=Kochi|date=27 October 2019}} |
In August 2021, the Revenue Department of Thiruvananthapuram published a list of survey numbers for land confiscation.{{Cite web|year=2021|title=G.O.(Ms)No.163/2021/RD|url=https://keralarail.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/GO-for-LA.pdf|website=|publisher=Revenue Department|publication-place=Thiruvananthapuram|via=Kerala Rail Development Corporation Limited (K-Rail)|quote=https://keralarail.com/projects/thiruvananthapuram-kasaragod-semi-high-speed-rail-shsr-project/}} Kerala Infrastructure Investment Fund Board approved a loan of Rs 2100 crores for buying these lands from respective owners of these plots.{{Cite web|title=Land confiscation procedures for Silverline Semi High-Speed rail project begins|url=https://english.mathrubhumi.com/news/kerala/land-confiscation-procedures-for-silverline-semi-high-speed-rail-project-begins-semi-high-speed-rail-corridor-silverline-project-kerala-rail-1.5930460|access-date=2021-10-16|website=Mathrubhumi|language=en}}
| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center;" |
| colspan=3 |Estimated time duration |
|---|
| Proposed Station
! Distance ! Time duration |
| Thiruvananthapuram
|Start |0 min |
| Kollam
|55 km |24 min |
| Chengannur
|109 km |48 min |
| Kottayam
|149 km |1 hr 3 min |
| Kochi
|195 km |1 hr 26 min |
| Kochi Airport
| 220 km |1 hr 35 min |
| Thrissur
|259 km |1 hr 54 min |
| Tirur
|317 km |2 hr 19 min |
| Kozhikode
|358 km |2 hr 37 min |
| Kannur
|449 km |3 hr 16 min |
| Kasaragod
|532 km |3 hr 52 min |
Plan
Kerala will get a special railway corridor along its {{convert|532|km|adj=on}} length, as the state government is set to build a {{INRConvert|66079|c}} rail line that will enable semi-high speed trains ply between upstate Kasaragod and the capital city of Thiruvananthapuram. The semi-high-speed corridor from Thiruvananthapuram to Kasargode would not have any level crossings. K-Rail will have to acquire about {{convert|1200|ha}} for the project that will have the rails elevated along urban stretches. The trains will run at a maximum speed of {{convert|200|km/h}}. They will initially have nine coaches, and the number will be subsequently enhanced to 12. The travel charge is projected to be ₹2.75 per km (2.4¢ US/mi), and there will be an annual hike of 7.5 per cent.{{cite news|date=23 September 2021|title=DETAILED PROJECT REPORT (DPR) - Kerala SemiHSR|publisher=Keralarail.com|url=https://keralarail.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/SilverLine-DPR-TRAVEL-DEMAND-FORECAST.pdf|access-date=23 September 2021}}
K-Rail expects a ridership of 67,740 passengers a day. It estimates to carry 1,330 travellers in one direction at peak hours. For meeting the expenses of the {{INRConvert|66079|c}} project, {{INRConvert|34454|c}} will come as loans. The Centre and state will need to provide {{INRConvert|7720|c}} each. The Kerala government will spend {{INRConvert|8656|c}} on land acquisition and allied matters. The rest of the expenses will be met through other loans by the union and state governments. The rail line will pass through 11 of the state's 14 districts, and will stop at ten stations. Up its northward course from Thiruvananthapuram, these stations will be Kollam, Chengannur, Kottayam, Kochi, Kochi Airport, Thrissur, Tirur, Kozhikode and Kannur before reaching Kasaragod.
The SilverLine corridor will be 100% green project. K-Rail is set to adopt last-mile connectivity, with multi-modal integration, system-driven e-vehicle public transport system, charging as well as parking stations, which would take the state to next generation of urban mobility. The project will also adopt the latest world-class rail system technology like signalling system of ERTMS level-2 with automatic train control system, ticketing, communication, fully air-conditioned rolling stock with modern passenger amenities.
The main depot for the line will be located near the Kochuveli terminus.
Protests
There are many protests against K Rail initiative due to access of private land without a proper compensation and assent. Several people were arrested for non-cooperation.{{Cite news |date=2022-03-22 |title=Public protest against K-Rail intensifies across Malabar |work=The Times of India |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/kozhikode/public-protest-against-k-rail-intensifies-across-malabar/articleshow/90364555.cms |access-date=2023-05-24 |issn=0971-8257}}{{Cite news |date=2022-03-03 |title=Nine arrested after protest against K-Rail project |language=en-IN |work=The Hindu |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Kochi/nine-arrested-for-protesting-against-silverline-project/article65186811.ece |access-date=2023-05-24 |issn=0971-751X}}
See also
References
{{Attached KML}}
{{reflist|30em}}
- {{Cite web|url=https://www.deccanchronicle.com/nation/current-affairs/041019/kochi-realty-boards-high-speed-rail.html|title=Kochi: Realty boards high-speed rail|last=Sethunath|first=KP|date=2019-10-04|website=Deccan Chronicle|language=en|access-date=2019-10-23}}
- {{Cite web|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/thiruvananthapuram/cm-seeks-rlys-support-for-semi-high-speed-rail-line/articleshow/71319235.cms|title=CM Pinarayi Vijayan seeks railways' support for semi-high speed rail line |date=September 27, 2019|website=The Times of India|language=en|access-date=2019-10-23}}
- {{Cite web|url=https://www.financialexpress.com/infrastructure/railways/kochi-to-thiruvananthapuram-in-90-minutes-kerala-plans-200-kmph-semi-high-speed-rail-corridor-details-here/1669734/|title=Kochi to Thiruvananthapuram in 90 minutes! Kerala plans 200 kmph semi-high speed rail corridor; details here|date=2019-08-08|website=The Financial Express|language=en-US|access-date=2019-10-23}}
- {{Cite web|url=https://www.newsclick.in/kerala-get-semi-high-speed-rail-corridor-joining-kasaragod-and-thiruvananthapuram|title=Kerala to Get Semi-high-speed Rail Corridor Joining Kasaragod and Thiruvananthapuram|date=2019-08-01|website=NewsClick|language=en|access-date=2019-10-23}}
- {{Cite news|url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/kerala/defence-clearance-for-lidar-survey/article29761264.ece|title=Defence clearance for LiDAR survey|last=Radhakrishnan|first=S. Anil|date=2019-10-21|work=The Hindu|access-date=2019-10-23|language=en-IN|issn=0971-751X}}
- {{Cite news|url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/kerala/study-finds-semi-high-speed-rail-line-feasible/article27130879.ece|title=Study finds semi-high-speed rail line feasible|last=Radhakrishnan|first=S. Anil|date=2019-05-14|work=The Hindu|access-date=2019-10-23|language=en-IN|issn=0971-751X}}
- {{Cite web|url=https://english.mathrubhumi.com/news/kerala/govt-approves-semi-high-speed-rail-project-alignment-1.3999961|title=Govt approves Semi-High-Speed rail project alignment|website=Mathrubhumi|date=30 July 2019 |language=en|access-date=2019-10-23}}
- {{Cite web|url=https://english.manoramaonline.com/news/kerala/2019/09/09/planned-semi-high-speed-feeder-station.html|title=Planned semi-high-speed rail line may have 27 feeder stations too|website=OnManorama|language=en|access-date=2019-10-23}}
{{High-speed rail in India}}
{{Railways in Southern India}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Thiruvananthapuram - Kannur high-speed rail corridor}}
Category:High-speed railway lines in India
Category:Proposed railway lines in India
Category:Rail transport in Kerala