SILVER LINE PROJECT

Subject: Economy

Context: The Kerala government has informed the NITI Aayog that the 529.45 km semi-high-speed rail SilverLine from Kochuveli to Kasaragod, estimated to cost ₹63,941 crore, is “viable and feasible”.

Concept:

• The government said the public-private partnership component of the joint venture between the Indian Railways and Kerala would be “improved” and that the “equity cash contribution” of Railways had been brought down from ₹7,720 crore to ₹2,150 crore.

About the Project :

• It involves laying of semi high-speed trains between the two corners of the state of Kerala.
• It is 532- km long. The corridor will be built away from the existing line between Thiruvananthapuram and Thrissur.
• It aims to connect major districts and towns with semi high-speed trains that will run on their own tracks.
• The Kerala Rail Development Corporation (K-Rail), a joint venture between the Ministry of Railways and the Kerala government to execute projects on a cost-sharing basis, will be the nodal agency.