FROM THE MD'S DESK

Issue: December 2019

A Monthly Newsletter From The Kerala Rail Development Corporation Ltd

K-RAIL

The Union Government has given

(in-principle) approval to Kerala’s

ambitious Thiruvananthapuram-Kasaragod

Semi High Speed Rail (SHSR) project. The

order in this regard was issued by the

Ministry of Railways on 17.12.2019, which

was conveyed to Kerala Chief Secretary

Shri Tom Jose IAS. K-Rail had submitted

the feasibility report to the Ministry of

Railways for the construction of Semi High

Speed Rail Corridor between

Thiruvananthapuram and Kasaragod,

which was examined in detail by the

Ministry of Railways before according

approval for the pre-investment activities

of the project. The state cabinet had

approved the project in August 2019 after

the feasibility study conducted by K-Rail.

The state government is going ahead with

1. Silver Line gets Centre’s in-principle nod

2. AERIAL LIDAR SURVEY

The Union Government has given

(in-principle) approval for the

construction of Silver Line –Semi

High Speed Rail Corridor. This

approval marks an important

milestone in the implementation of

this grand project that will help fast

track the economy of Kerala. This

532-km double line between the

capital city and Kasaragod will be

completed using modern

technology.

The Silver Line project will be

implemented as a Green project.

K-Rail entered into a MoU with

IIM-Ahmedabad to make Silver Line

a Green project. K-Rail proposes

to use solar power and reused

concrete and steel.

The strategies proposed to be

adopted during construction

includes recycling steel and

concrete, an urban forestry

program, diversion of construction

waste from landfills through reuse

and recycling, use of new,

low emission construction

equipment, replacement

of ine�cient truck engines and

irrigation pumps. The station

buildings, depots, administrative

building and other service

structures will be designed based

on the platinum rating standard

of Indian Green Building Council.

This rail corridor will shift about

46,100 and 11,500 people per day

to SHSR from Road and Rail

respectively. Reduction in

Greenhouse Gas emissions is one

of the key features of this project.

A reduction of approximately 2,

37,663 tons of carbon dioxide

equivalent is expected by 2028

which will increase upto 3, 81,899

tons by 2051.

Other features of this project

include last-mile connectivity with

system-driven e-vehicle public

transport system, multi-modal

integration, charging and parking

stations, which would take Kerala

to the next generation of urban

mobility.

Planned urban development of

the cities along the corridor and

development of new cities down

the SHSR line can derive

benefits for the socio-economic

development in the regions

served by the line.

If we can go ahead with the

current time-frame, the project

will become a reality by 2024.

SOON, KERALA WILLCHANGE THE WAY IT TRAVELSK-Rail, a joint venture between the Government of Kerala and

Ministry of Railways - Government of India, is all set to lend a new

dimension to the railway infrastructure. With its super-fast, safe rail

services, K-Rail will help fast-track the socio-economic development

of the State – especially the less developed regions.

“Silver Line”, K-Rail's Semi High-Speed Rail project, will connect the

North and South regions of the State with train services that will

operate at a maximum speed of 200 km/hour, reducing the total

travel time to less than 4 hours. It shall also redefine intra-state travel

in Kerala with its high quality, time-saving services and provide

e�cient last-mile connectivity through aggregator and feeder

services. This will ensure maximum passenger convenience and

encourage more and more people to use public transport.

Silver Line is expected to bring about a host of positive changes to

the way people in Kerala travel by creating a fast, e�cient and

reliable mode of long-distance transport, which will decongest roads,

reduce accidents, minimize air pollution and most importantly, ease

the current rail passenger rush.

EVENTS AND UPDATES

IN NEWS

SILVER LINE:MEDIA

COVERAGE

Discussion in Naam Munnottu (Chief Minister’s weekly interactive program)

its e�orts to mobilise investment for the project. Chief Minister Shri Pinarayi Vijayan

met President of JICA during his recent visit to Japan, and briefed him about the

project. JICA showed positive intent towards the project.

LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging) aerial remote sensing method is being used for the survey conducted on a Partenavia P68 series aircraft that took o� from Kannur International Airport (KIAL).

The aerial survey to identify the alignment of the Semi High-Speed Rail got under way on 31.12.2019, covering the northernmost 80 km stretch from Kannur in the initial phase of the exercise. The aerial survey is the first vital step before commencing the work of Silver Line, which will reduce end-to-end travel time across the state to four hours. The survey is being carried out by Hyderabad-based GeoKno India Pvt. Ltd., which had also conducted the LiDAR survey for the Mumbai-Ahmedabad bullet train project.

This survey will help identify the alignment very fast, start construction and will enable K-Rail to prepare the Detailed Project Report (DPR). Silver Line is the second rail project in India to rely on LiDAR survey. The land that has a width of 600 m is being surveyed for Silver Line, and the line will be set up in the suitable 25 m width land. The ground points for this have already been set up. The LiDAR eye can detect things ranging from buildings, people inhabited areas, forest and bridges to stone benches and bushes, enabling completion of the alignment by avoiding things that are beneficial for people.

LiDAR survey

LiDAR survey is conducted using the reflection of laser rays. The equipment in the aircraft will have a laser unit, scanner and GPS receiver. The laser rays will scan the surface of the earth and the returning rays are received by the sensor to map the route.

Through the survey, accurate details of the land will be available without disturbing public life. Moreover, it can precisely identify forests, rivers, roads, wetlands, buildings, electricity line and heritage zones. The high-resolution cameras used in the LiDAR unit can also detect tree-covered low lands.

3. KERALA NIRMMITI

K-Rail Managing Director Mr. V. Ajith Kumar speaking about Silver Line Project, at

Kerala Nirmmiti, an exhibition organised by KIIFB in Thiruvananthapuram district on

21.12.2019.

Kerala Nirmmiti, was aimed at giving

the public a chance to learn about

basic infrastructure developments in

all the districts and evaluate the

development projects undertaken by

KIIFB.

General Consultant – Systra

1. EIA AND SIA SURVEY UNDERWAY

K-Rail has nominated the Centre for Environment and Development (recognised by Dept. of Scientific and Industrial Research, Govt. of India) to assess the environmental impact on the proposed Thiruvananthapuram Kasaragod Silver Line project.

PROJECT PROGRESS -SILVER LINE

The field data collection and analysis on ambient air quality, ambient noise quality, flora and fauna study, surface soil quality analysis, subsoil quality analysis, water quality analysis (ground water and surface water) have been completed. The ambient air quality investigation is 65% complete and further investigation is in progress.

2. TOURIST TRAIN & AGGREGATOR SERVICES SURVEY

UPCOMING PROJECTS

1. New BG line between Thalassery and Mysore

The new BG line between Thalassery and Mysore connects the Coastal Township of Thalassery in North Malabar in Kerala, via Mananthavadi / Kalpatta to Mysore town in Karnataka thereby giving a direct rail link between Kerala and Karnataka. The proposed new alignment passes through an underground tunnel between Nagarhole and Bandipur wildlife sanctuaries.

The Preliminary / Pre-feasibility report has been prepared by K-Rail and was submitted to the Railway Board. DPR preparation by Konkan Railway

Corporation Limited (KRCL) is underway. The proposed alignment has been submitted to the Karnataka Government for their clearance.

2. New Line from Nilambur to Nanjangud

The proposed BG line provides the missing link between Nilambur in Malappuram District of Kerala and Nanjangud in Chamaraja Nagar District of Karnataka. It provides an alternative and shorter connectivity between Southern Kerala, Mysore, and Bangalore thereby helping in comprehensive development of a vast area in Karnataka, Kerala and Tamil Nadu. It is planned to connect Nagarhole and Bandipur National Parks via underground tunnel.

K-Rail has conducted a detailed study and suggested a common gate way across the Western Ghats in the forest areas of Kerala and Karnataka, to meet the requirements of both Nilambur - Nanjangud and Thalassery – Mysore Broad Gauge lines.

Tra�c Survey for feasibility of Tourist Train & Aggregator Services was conducted at identified locations in the month of December. The main objective of the survey was to find out the number of tourists willing to shift to SHSR as well as to find the potential number of passengers who would use the feeder services.

K-Rail board meeting chaired by Chief Secretary Shri. Tom Jose on 04.10.2018 gave the nod for appointing Systra as the general consultant. Accordingly, K-Rail appointed Paris-based engineering and consultant firm Systra as the General Consultant for K-Rail projects. Systra incepted their services on November, 2018. The contract will be for a period of three years.

As the General Consultant, Systra assists K-Rail in identifying the best fit technology and systems suiting our projects. Further, they are involved in preparation of feasibility reports and DPR, procurement processes, identification of surveys required for

feasibility studies/ DPR, supervising Environmental & Social study etc.

Systra had completed the feasibility study on the project “Silver Line” by May 2019 and found the project technically feasible and financially viable. The report was submitted to the Government of Kerala, which received the cabinet nod in August 2019.

Presently, Systra is in the process of Detailed Project Report (DPR) preparation. The survey activities conducted for DPR preparation including LiDAR survey, Geotechnical survey and Study on Environmental Impact Assessment is underway. Tra�c and Transportation survey has been successfully completed.

The Detailed Project Report on the project “Silver Line” is expected to be completed by February/March 2020.

EditorAnil Kumar G, JGM/CSSub-EditorNidhiya Joseph, Technical Assistant

0471 2325330 www.krdcl.co.in0471 232 7330 krdclgok@gmail.com

Contact us: Kerala Rail Development Corporation Ltd.5th floor, Trans Towers, Vazhuthacaud, Thycaud P.OThiruvananthapuram, Kerala-695014

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