SilverLine Rail Project Kerala
SilverLine Rail Project Kerala is the upcoming Semi High-Speed Rail Corridor between Thiruvananthapuram — Kasargod. The Kerala railway project aims at reducing the transit time between Kerala’s Northern and Southern corners. The Silverline project is also being lauded as one of the biggest infrastructural enterprises by the state government. 79,934 passengers are expected to commute per day by 2025–26 according to the feasibility study. The project is being executed by The Kerala Rail Development Corporation Limited at an estimated cost of Rs 63,941 crore (newindianexpress.com dated 29th June 2021). Some of the reflections by Rail Factor (Get Connected to the Rail Industry).
Features of Silverline Rail Project
Starting from Thiruvananthapuram, the state capital to Kasargod, the northern most district of Kerala, the K-rail Silverline travels through 11 districts and stations. With an operating speed of 200 kmph, the projected travel time is likely to be reduced considerably from 12 hours to just 4 hours.
This rail project of Kerala aims to reduce transport congestions, improvise transit time and offers a better quality of transportation. The reduction of road congestions expected to substantially lower road wrecks. The K-rail project includes the last mile connectivity using aggregate services and feeder services which contribute to the reduced road blocks. Simply said, the Silverline Project not just reduces road traffic, but makes travel easier and faster for the travelers.
Similar to the outstate and out nation trains, the Kerala Rail Project train will include automatic ticketing and control systems, air-conditioned coaches and modern amenities. As a venture with 100% reliance on renewable energy sources, it also reduces Green-House gas emissions.
The SilverLine Project will be integrated with Kochi and Trivandrum Airports. It will also have connectivity with Technopark and Infopark. This will be a huge advantage for the Tourism and IT sector. With the advent of the Silverline Project, the State of Kerala will be taken to the next generation of urban mobility. The Government asserts that the introduction of this high-speed railway system will give way for numerous employment opportunities and accelerate the development of cities by integrating airports and IT passages. It is expected to enhance the economic growth as well.
Type of Signaling used in SilverLine Proect is ETCS Level-2 of ERTMS. Read some of the recent development in signaling.
Apprehensions
Although thorough studies have been made before the initiation of the project, environmentalists have raised the need for greater caution before the execution of the project. In light of the pandemic struck economic conditions and the cost amounting in millions, the need for such a railway system has been questioned.
Claimants have also proposed to utilize sustainable infrastructures suitable for the state that are less costly than the Silverline project. During a phase when railways are toggling over to an electronic signaling system where trains travel at a speed of 150 Km per hour through the modernization of tracks, questions arise on such a huge expenditure.
Also, there could be concerns on the effect over the ecosystem in the proposed route. Concerns are being raised on the feasibility of the project (newindianexpress.com dated 29 Jun 2021). The irrevocable damage to the rivers, wet lands and possible carving of the Western Ghats and paddy fields may be detrimental to the eco-system.
Another question — will some of the curved routes be able to handle the high speed or is it a matter of concern from safety point of view? Is the track alignment of SilverLine Project designed to cater to the apparent requirement of the future, may be 30 years down the line? Switching to better version of train (rollingstock) might be feasible but changing alignment will be an enormous task again. Speed of the train should have been a major issue to be brainstormed in the planning stage. High speed trains in some of the countries are being operated beyond 350 kmph compared to the envisaged speed of 200 kmph in the SilverLine Project. The project should envision the need of 2050 and beyond.
The relocation and displacement of existing shops, schools, religious and buildings is an enormous hurdle in the path of the Kerala Rail Project. These prime setbacks might retard the government’s ability to speed up the land acquisition process.
In a time where remote working has become the manner of labor, would there a need for such voluminous transportation system? With the world marching towards maximizing the utilization of local services and consumption and maximizing production to prevent hazards like pollutions and climate changes and the recent pandemic, the need for such a railway system is to be examined. Reviewers exclaim that with Online Education, Work from home, e-governance and e-commerce all becoming the pattern of living due to the worldwide pandemic the hype about this Silverline project might not factual in the future.
Conclusion
The Thiruvananthapuram — Kasargod Corridor covers the state’s most densely populated coastal regions. Since most of the population depends on conventional modes of transport, the proposed rail line is set to bring remarkable changes in the local commuting pattern, if commissioned as proposed. With and estimated commuters of 80,000 who traverse by regular trains, the Silverline project might be a boon to those using the hurdled road travels. As stated in the pros, with the possible integrations, this project could bring about a major development to the State.
Considering the present requisites and technology, the Silverline Project may appear enormous. However, the outlook towards the future vis-à-vis development in other countries in such a big project needs to be substantiated.
