Thiruvananthapuram, 14 Feb (H.S.):

Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan has written to the Union government seeking approval to move forward with a proposed Rapid Rail Transit System (RRTS) project in the State, marking a fresh push for a high-speed rail corridor connecting Kerala’s northern and southern regions.

In a letter addressed to the Union Minister for Housing and Urban Affairs, the Chief Minister requested permission to prepare a Detailed Project Report (DPR) for the ambitious corridor. The State government has indicated that it intends to implement the RRTS as an alternative to the earlier SilverLine semi-high-speed rail proposal.

According to the communication, the project can proceed only after securing formal approval from the Centre. The State has proposed a funding model in which 20 per cent of the project cost would be shared between the Centre and the State governments, while the remaining 60 per cent would be mobilised through loans from international financial institutions.

The total estimated cost of the project is ₹1.92 lakh crore. In its first phase, the RRTS corridor is planned between Thiruvananthapuram and Thrissur. Subsequently, the network would be extended in four additional phases to cover the entire stretch from Thiruvananthapuram to Kasaragod.

The proposed alignment is expected to span approximately 583 kilometres, linking major urban and commercial centres across Kerala. The government believes that the RRTS model, already implemented in select regions elsewhere in the country, could provide faster, more efficient, and environmentally sustainable inter-city connectivity.

If approved, the project is expected to significantly reduce travel time across the State, decongest roads, and promote economic growth by improving mobility between districts. The Chief Minister’s letter underscores the State’s renewed commitment to modernising its transport infrastructure while seeking cooperative federal support for large-scale mobility solutions.

The Centre’s response will determine whether Kerala can formally initiate the DPR process and take the next steps toward realising one of its most ambitious transport infrastructure projects in recent years.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Arun Lakshman