E Sreedharan unveiled key details of the proposed Kerala high-speed rail corridor, presenting a revised alignment, station list, expected fares and journey times. The updated alignment now includes Pathanamthitta district and will feature 20 stations along the 465 km corridor. A dedicated team has been constituted to steer implementation.

The line will originate at Thiruvananthapuram Central and pass through coastal and central towns including Varkala, Kollam, Kottarakkara, Thiruvalla, Kottayam and Ernakulam before reaching Nedumbassery, Thrissur, Malappuram and Kannur. Stations are planned at intervals of 20 to 30 km to enhance regional connectivity and the corridor will link the three major airports at Thiruvananthapuram, Nedumbassery and Kannur. The configuration is intended to strengthen multimodal transport integration across the state.

The project has been designed for a maximum speed of 200 kmph with a commercial operating speed set at 140 kmph and operational top speeds expected to reach 180 kmph in selected stretches. Once operational, the Thiruvananthapuram to Kannur journey is projected to take three hours and 20 minutes, delivering a substantial reduction in travel time compared with existing services. Service frequency and precise timetables will be developed during detailed planning.

The estimated construction cost for the first phase has been revised down to Rs565 billion (bn). Passenger demand is projected at 0.5 mn daily on average, reflecting anticipated modal shift and corridor demand. Proposed ticket fares range from Rs440 for Thiruvananthapuram to Ernakulam up to Rs780 for the full Thiruvananthapuram to Kannur trip and are presented as more affordable than current Vande Bharat services operating in the state. Fare structures and concessions will be finalised during financial modelling.

As part of sustainability measures, solar farms will be established at stations to supply power for operations and the cost of solar generation has been included in the project estimate. The project team will proceed to detailed surveys, alignment finalisation and stakeholder consultations ahead of funding and construction phases.