Indian Railways cleared the way for faster trains along Kerala’s busy coast, sanctioning surveys to prepare Detailed Project Reports (DPRs) for seven projects designed for speeds of up to 160 kmph, according to Union Minister for Railways, Information & Broadcasting and Electronics & Information Technology, Ashwini Vaishnaw.
The move promises quicker journeys on some of the state’s most congested routes, but officials caution that full project approval will still require multiple layers of clearance.
Seven high-speed‑ready corridors in Kerala
The sanctioned DPR surveys cover key stretches that link Kerala’s major cities with neighbouring states:[ppl-ai-file-upload.s3.amazonaws]
1. Shoranur–Mangalore 3rd & 4th line (307 km)
2. Coimbatore–Shoranur 3rd & 4th line (99 km)
3. Shoranur–Ernakulam 3rd line (106 km)
4. Ernakulam–Kayankulam 3rd line via Kottayam (115 km)
5. Kayankulam–Thiruvananthapuram 3rd line (105 km)
6. Thiruvananthapuram–Nagercoil 3rd line (71 km)
7. Turavur–Ambalappuzha doubling (46 km)
These projects are being designed with a “higher speed potential” of 160 kmph according to the railway ministry, similar to the upgraded Vande Bharat‑ready routes elsewhere in India.
Once the DPRs are finalised, the proposals would need consultations with state governments and clearances from bodies such as NITI Aayog and the Finance Ministry, so no fixed commissioning timeline has been given, stressed the railway minister, Ashwini Vaishnaw.
Silver Line DPR under the scanner
The Centre also stated that it flagged issues with Kerala’s separate semi‑high speed “Silver Line” project between Thiruvananthapuram and Kasaragod. The DPR for Silver Line was prepared by Kerala Rail Development Corporation Limited (KRDCL), a joint venture of the state government and the Railways.
KRDCL has now been advised to revise its DPR to match current Indian Railways standards, including broad‑gauge integration, flatter gradients, proper drainage, 2×25 kV electrification, Kavach safety system and better environmental safeguards.
However, the Kerala government has been insisting that Silver Line be treated as a stand‑alone project, the Centre noted in its official statement.
High‑speed upgrade
It is not just in Kerala where the railways have been pushing for upgrades. Track length capable of sectional speeds of 130 kmph and above has jumped from 5,036 km (6.3 per cent of the network) in 2013–14 to 23,477 km (22.2 per cent) by January 2026, the railway ministry said.
Sections in the 110–130 kmph band have also more than doubled to 61,711 km, while slower sections under 110 kmph have shrunk sharply.
This was driven by heavier rails and concrete sleepers, flash‑butt welding, mechanised maintenance, modern signalling, Automatic Block Signalling and full track circuiting, alongside the rollout of India’s indigenous Kavach Automatic Train Protection system on high‑density routes.
This week, Vaishnaw also assured the Rajya Sabha that such upgrades were continuous, and train speeds would keep rising as more sections are strengthened.