THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: In what could put Kerala’s ambitious SilverLine project back on track, albeit in a revised form, Metroman E Sreedharan has come forward with the suggestion that the state government go for a ‘Stand-alone High-Speed Line’ and offered his support for it.
The former chief of the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation wants the DMRC to be entrusted with the preparation of the DPR (detailed project report) and implementation of the project instead of K-Rail. Sreedharan had recently met Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan and informed him that if DMRC is entrusted with the DPR, it can be prepared in eight months and the project can be completed in five years.
Following this, the chief minister sent his chief principal secretary K M Abraham to Ponnani to hold further discussions with Sreedharan and fine-tune the details. The CM is learnt to have taken a positive stance on the suggestions. However, a final decision will be taken only after the railway ministry’s approval.
In a recent letter to the CM, Sreedharan had suggested that the DPR preparation be entrusted either with the Indian Railways or the DMRC. While K-Rail proposes to have the SilverLine on the ground, Sreedharan has proposed a standard gauge line that is either elevated — viaducts — or in a tunnel. The project cost will come to Rs 1 lakh crore.
“If DMRC is entrusted with the project, the construction can be completed in five years. The line should be an elevated structure. This way, less land will have to be acquired. The cost won’t be very high. The chief minister is positive on the suggestions and wants the project to be implemented without delay. However, a final decision can be taken only after discussions with the railway minister,” Sreedharan told TNIE.
Expected cost to be about Rs 200 crore per km
He pointed out that in case of an elevated structure, there’s no need for major land acquisition. “There won’t be any land acquisition for tunnels. In places with elevated structures, only a narrow strip of land needs to be acquired. Even this can be given back once the construction is over. Only hitch is there can’t be big trees. I believe identifying suitable land won’t be an issue then,” he added.
While the K-Rail proposal is for a semi high-speed railway from Thiruvananthapuram to Kasaragod, Sreedharan suggested that initially, it can be for a length of about 430 km from Thiruvananthapuram to Kannur. In future, the line can be extended to Kasaragod or Mangaluru. He suggested a double line on standard gauge with a maximum operating speed of 200 km/hr. The expected cost of the project will be about `200 crore per km.
As per the proposal, the line can be funded as per the Konkan railway pattern. A special purpose vehicle should be formed with 51% share by the Railways and 49% by the state. The land cost will be covered by subordinate debt. Of the remaining cost, 60% will be funded through equity and the balance by borrowing. The railways’ burden will be around `30,000 crore over a period of six years. The state government will bear almost the same burden.
E Sreedharam’s offer of support has given fresh hopes to the state with respect to obtaining railway clearance for the project. “Due to E Sreedharan’s BJP affiliation, the state was reluctant to make the first move. Now with him approaching the government, the state is hopeful.
He is in line with all proposals in the K-Rail DPR, except that he wants the line to be elevated. He’s also not keen on K-Rail implementing the same. He wants DMRC to be the implementing agency,” said a source. The state feels that if DMRC is roped in, Sreedharan will be able to get railway clearance without difficulty.
High-Speed Line
Key features of ‘Stand-alone High-Speed Line’ suggested by Metroman E Sreedharan
Double line standard gauge with operating speed of 200 km/hour.
Initially from T’Puram to Kannur, and can be extended in future.
Project cost expected to be H200 crore per km. The completion cost will be H1 lakh crore.
DMRC can prepare DPR in eight months and complete project in five years, says Sreedharan