Kerala ditches SilverLine, greenlights new high-speed rail project
Kerala says the controversial SilverLine project has been unable to progress and has given in-principle approval for a new Regional Rapid Transit System (RRTS).
This 583-km elevated rail line will link Thiruvananthapuram to Kasaragod, with trains zipping along at up to 180km/h.
The move comes after technical pushback from Indian Railways and strong public opposition.
What is RRTS?
The RRTS will use pillars and viaducts to keep land acquisition minimal and protect water flow—so fewer disruptions for communities and the environment, but still a fast way to get around.
It will connect to existing metro and airport networks
The corridor will hook up with Kochi, Thiruvananthapuram, and Kozhikode metros, plus four international airports.
The idea: ditch the car more often thanks to smoother last-mile links.
When will it be ready?
First up: a 284-km stretch between Thiruvananthapuram and Thrissur by 2033.
The rest of the line will be completed in phases over the next decade or so—so expect improvements in steps rather than overnight.
How much will it cost?
With a price tag of ₹1.9 lakh crore, funding is split—20% each from state and central governments, while 60% comes via international loans.
Its funding model is similar to Delhi's RRTS.