**Executive Summary**
The document is a response to Unstarred Question No. 594 in Lok Sabha, scheduled for December 3, 2025, concerning the Semi-High Speed Rail Project (Silver Line) in Kerala. It details the project's current status, proposed alternatives, and issues related to land acquisition, budget allocation, and ongoing surveys to improve connectivity and rail capacity. The response also emphasizes the need for the Kerala Government's support for successful project execution.
**Key Points / Main Content**
* **Silver Line Project:**
* The Silver Line project, proposed by Kerala Rail Development Corporation Limited (KRDCL), aims to connect Thiruvananthapuram to Kasaragod.
* KRDCL submitted a Detailed Project Report (DPR), which contained deficiencies.
* Southern Railway advised KRDCL to revise the DPR per the latest technical standards, including integration with the existing IR network.
* **Connectivity and Capacity Enhancement Surveys:**
* Surveys have been conducted for the following routes to improve connectivity:
* Kayankulam-Thiruvanathapuram 3rd Line (105 km)
* Ernakulam-Kayankulam 3rd line (via Kottayam) (115 km)
* Shoranur-Mangalore 3rd & 4th Line (307 km)
* Coimbatore-Shoranur 3rd & 4th line (99 km)
* Thiruvanathapuram-Nagercoil 3rd Line (71 km)
* Shoranur – Ernakulam 3rd Line (106 km)
* **Budget Allocation & Project Status**
* Budget allocation for Kerala infrastructure projects has increased from Rs. 372 crore/year (2009-14) to Rs. 3,042 crore (2025-26).
* As of 01.04.2025, 6 projects (2 new line, 4 doubling) totaling 266 km, costing Rs. 9,415 crore, are in various stages, with 26 km commissioned and Rs. 3,250 crore spent.
* **Land Acquisition:**
* Land acquisition delays are holding up infrastructure projects in Kerala.
* Out of 476 Ha required, 65 Ha (14%) has been acquired, leaving 411 Ha (86%) to be acquired.
* ₹1975 crore has been deposited with the Government of Kerala for land acquisition.
* **Project Sanction and Completion Factors:**
* Railway project sanction depends on factors like traffic projections, connectivity, congestion augmentation, and demand.
* Project completion depends on land acquisition, forest clearance, utility shifting, statutory clearances, and geological conditions.
**Impact Analysis**
**Government of Kerala**
* **Impact:** The Kerala government is a key stakeholder, as the project's success depends on their support in land acquisition and statutory clearances.
* **Action Required:** The Kerala Government needs to expedite land acquisition for projects and provide necessary support to facilitate smooth execution.
**Ministry of Railways**
* **Impact:** Responsible for planning, funding, and overseeing the execution of railway projects in Kerala.
* **Action Required:** Continue to provide financial support and technical guidance for the projects while working with the State Government to resolve land acquisition issues.
**Kerala Rail Development Corporation Limited (KRDCL)**
* **Impact:** They are the agency responsible for developing the Silver Line project.
* **Action Required:** KRDCL needs to address the deficiencies in the DPR and prepare a revised DPR as per the latest technical standards.
**Citizens of Kerala**
* **Impact:** The citizens are impacted by the potential improvement in connectivity and transportation infrastructure. Delays can lead to continued travel challenges.
* **Action Required:** Not specifically mentioned, but the expectation is that citizens will benefit from the improved infrastructure once projects are completed.
Key Entities Referenced
SilverLine: Proposed semi-high speed rail project in Kerala, from Thiruvananthapuram to Kasaragod.
Ministry of Railways: Union Ministry responsible for the development of railway projects and advised KRDCL on necessary changes.
Kerala: State where railway projects are being planned and executed with collaboration from the State Government.
Kerala Rail Development Corporation Limited (KRDCL): A Joint Venture company responsible for the development of the SilverLine project.
Detailed Project Report (DPR): Report submitted by KRDCL for the SilverLine project, which has deficiencies requiring revision.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 594
TO BE ANSWERED ON 03.12.2025
SEMI-HIGH SPEED RAIL PROJECT IN KERALA
594. ADV. ADOOR PRAKASH:
Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:
(a) whether the Railway Board has suggested/planned any alternative
to the proposal submitted by the State Government of Kerala for semi-
high speed rail project (Silver Line) in the State
(b) if so, the details thereof; and
(c) whether the Government has received any communication from the
State Government for reconsideration of this project and if so, the
details thereof and the action taken thereon?
ANSWER
MINISTER OF RAILWAYS, INFORMATION & BROADCASTING AND
ELECTRONICS & INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY
(SHRI ASHWINI VAISHNAW)
(a) to (c): SilverLine from Thiruvananthapuram to Kasaragod in Kerala
was proposed for construction by Kerala Rail Development Corporation
Limited (KRDCL), a Joint Venture company of State Government of
Kerala (51%) and Ministry of Railways (49%) for development. After
survey, KRDCL has submitted Detailed Project Report (DPR) of the
Project. The proposed alignment was running parallel to and in close
proximity to Indian Railway (IR) lines. There were many deficiencies in
the DPR. Therefore, KRDCL has been advised by Southern Railway to
address those deficiencies and prepare revised DPR as per the latestadvised technical standards such as integration with existing IR network
at suitable points, adoption of broad gauge for integration with IR
network, flatter ruling gradient, provision of Kavach, electrification with
2x25 kV, proper drainage scheme for yards and sections, addressing
environmental concerns during construction and operation etc. The
proposed changes are aimed at improving line capacity utilization,
integration with the existing rail network etc.
Further to improve connectivity and enhance the capacity in this region
following surveys have been taken up: -
SN Route Length (Km)
1 Kayankulam-Thiruvanathapuram 3rd Line 105
2 Ernakulam-Kayankulam 3rd line (via 115
Kottayam)
3 Shoranur-Mangalore 3rd & 4th Line 307
4 Coimbatore-Shoranur 3rd & 4th line 99
5 Thiruvanathapuram-Nagercoil 3rd Line 71
6 Shoranur – Ernakulam 3rd Line 106
Kerala
Budget allocation in the recent years has increased significantly. Budget
allocation for infrastructure projects and safety works, falling fully/partly
in the State of Kerala is as under:-
Period Outlay
2009-14 Rs. 372 crore/year
2025-26 Rs. 3,042 crore (more than 8times)
As on 01.04.2025, 06 projects (02 new line and 04 doubling) of length
266 Km, costing Rs. 9,415 crore, falling fully/partly in the State of
Kerala are in different stages of planning/sanctioning/execution, out of
which 26 Km length has been commissioned and an expenditure ofRs.3,250 crore has been incurred upto March’ 2025. The summary is as
under:-
Category No. of Total Length Balance to Expenditure
projects Length Commissioned complete upto March
2025
(₹in Crore)
New line 02 146 Km 0 Km 146 Km 309
Doubling
/multitra- 04 120 Km 26 Km 94 Km 2,941
cking
Total 06 266 Km 26 Km 240 Km 3,250
Details of some of the recently completed projects falling fully/partly in
Kerala are as under :
Cost
S.No. Project
(₹in Crores)
1 Dindigul-Pollachi-Palghat & Pollachi-Coimbatore
1,360
Gauge Conversion (217 km)
2 Quilon-Tirunelveli-Tiruchendur Gauge Conversion
1,122
(357 km)
3 Mulanturutti-Kuruppantara Doubling (24 km) 303
4 Chenganur-Chingavanam Doubling (27 km) 436
5 Ambalapuzha-Haripad Doubling (18 km) 346
6 Kurruppanthara-Chingavanam Doubling (27 km) 749
Some of the projects falling fully/partly in Kerala which have been taken
up are as under:
Cost
S No. Project
(₹ in Crores)
1 Angamali-Sabarimala New line (111 Km) 3,727
2 Ernakulam-Kumbalam Doubling (8 Km) 5953 Kumbalam-Thuravur Patch doubling (16 km) 803
4 Trivandrum- Kanyakumari Doubling (87 Km) 3,786
5 Shoranur – Vallathol Doubling (10 Km) 367
In last three years (i.e. 2022-2023, 2023-2024, 2024-25 and current
Financial Year i.e. 2025-26), total 9 Nos. of Surveys (3 New Line and 6
Doubling) falling fully/partly in the State of Kerala having a total length
of 1,124 Km have been sanctioned and survey work has been taken up.
Execution of important infrastructure projects falling fully/partly in the
State of Kerala are held up due to delay in land acquisition. Status of
land acquisition in the State of Kerala is as under:
Total Land required for Projects in Kerala 476 Ha
Land Acquired 65 Ha (14%)
Balance Land to be acquired 411 Ha (86%)
Railway had deposited ₹1975 crore for land acquisition to Government
of Kerala. Support of the Government of Kerala is needed to expedite
the land acquisition. For instance, details of some major projects
which are delayed due to land acquisition are as under:-
S.No. Name of the project Total Land Balance
land acquired Land to
required (in Ha) be
(in Ha) acquired
(in Ha)
1. Angamali - Sabarimala new line 416 24 392
(111 Km)
2. Ernakulam – Kumbalam Patch 4 1 3
Doubling (8 Km)
3. Kumbalam – Turavur Patch 10 6 4
Doubling (16 Km)
4. Trivandrum - Kanyakumari 41 33 8
Doubling (87 Km)5. Shoranur - Vallathol Doubling (10 5 0 5
Km)
Government of India is geared up to execute projects, however
success depends upon the support of Government of Kerala.
Sanction of any railway project depends upon many
parameters/factors which include the following:
Anticipated traffic projections and Remunerativeness of the
proposed route
First and last mile connectivity provided by the project
Connection of missing links and providing additional route
Augmentation of congested/saturated lines
Demands raised by State Governments/Central Ministries/Public
representatives,
Railway’s own operational requirements
Socio-economic considerations
Overall availability of funds
Completion of Railway project/s depends on various factors which
include the following:
Land acquisition by State Government
Forest clearance
Shifting of infringing utilities
Statutory clearances from various authorities
Geological and topographical conditions of area
Law and order situation in the area of project site
Number of working months in a year for particular project site
etc.
All these factors affect the completion time and cost of the project/s.
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