Archive · 3 Aug 2026
Kerala Drops SilverLine, Focuses on 873 km Railway Projects
Kerala decided not to build a new fast train line called SilverLine.
The plan was to connect the state’s capital, Thiruvananthapuram, with the far north, Kasaragod, and maybe Kannur.
A former Delhi Metro chief, Dr E Sreedharan, had suggested a new track.
The state’s experts looked at the plan and said it wasn’t ready yet.
So the government said no to SilverLine.
Instead, they will work on 873 kilometers of other railway projects to help people travel north and south.
The decision was written up for the Indian Parliament on July 31, 2026.
Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw announced the change.
The state wants to improve travel without the high-speed line for now.
Kerala government decided not to proceed with the SilverLine high-speed rail between Thiruvananthapuram and Kasaragod.
Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw cited an interim report from former DMRC MD Dr E Sreedharan proposing a standard-gauge corridor to Kannur.
An expert committee reviewed the proposal and concluded it cannot be taken forward in its present form.
The decision was communicated in a written reply to the Rajya Sabha on July 31, 2026.
Kerala will instead focus on 873 km of other railway projects to improve North-South connectivity.
- Who
- Kerala government and Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw
- What
- Decision to drop the SilverLine high-speed rail project
- When
- July 31, 2026
- Where
- Kerala, India (Thiruvananthapuram to Kasaragod/Kannur)
- Why
- Expert committee concluded the proposal cannot be taken forward in its present form
- Project
- SilverLine high-speed rail
- Status
- Dropped
- Length of other projects
- 873 km
- Decision date
- July 31, 2026
- Decision maker
- Kerala government
- Railway Minister
- Ashwini Vaishnaw
- Proposed route
- Thiruvananthapuram to Kasaragod/Kannur