Archive · 25 Jan 2026
Kerala High-Speed Rail to Reduce Travel Time
Kerala is getting a new high-speed train that will make traveling from Thiruvananthapuram to Kannur much faster, taking only 3.15 hours.
This project is expected to be announced soon by the central government.
The train will cost a lot of money, around ₹86,000 crore to ₹1 lakh crore, and it will take five years to build.
Most of the train track will be above ground or underground, so it won't need as much land as other projects.
The trains will have eight coaches and can carry 560 passengers.
They will go very fast, up to 200 km per hour, and stop at 22 stations.
The project will start with the train going to Kannur, but maybe it will go further to Kasaragod or Mangaluru later.
Kerala's high-speed rail project to reduce travel time from Thiruvananthapuram to Kannur to 3.15 hours.
Project cost estimated between ₹86,000 crore and ₹1 lakh crore, to be completed in five years.
70% of the rail line will be elevated, 20% underground, and 10% on the surface.
Trains will have eight coaches, accommodate 560 passengers, and travel at 200 km/h.
Project to replace the Left government’s Silverline, with less land acquisition required.
- Who
- E Sreedharan, former Managing Director of DMRC
- What
- Announcement of Kerala high-speed rail project
- When
- Project announcement expected soon, DPR preparation from February 2, 2026
- Where
- Kerala, from Thiruvananthapuram to Kannur
- Why
- To reduce travel time and replace the Silverline project
- Project Announcement
- Expected soon by the Centre
- Travel Time
- 3.15 hours (Thiruvananthapuram to Kannur)
- Project Cost
- ₹86,000 crore to ₹1 lakh crore
- Completion Time
- 5 years
- Funding
- 60% by state and central governments, 40% borrowed
- Project Alignment
- 70% elevated, 20% underground, 10% on surface
- Train Details
- 8 coaches, 560 passengers, 200 km/h speed, 22 stations
- Land Acquisition
- One-third of Silverline project's requirement