Issue: June 2020

A Monthly Newsletter From The Kerala Rail Development Corporation Ltd

EVENTS AND UPDATES

SilverLine gets State Cabinet nodKerala State Cabinet has given approval for the Detailed Project Report (DPR) and Alignment of Thiruvananthapuram-Kasaragod Semi High-Speed Rail Corridor – SilverLine. While the Kasaragod- Tirur stretch of SilverLine will run parallel to the existing railway, the Tirur-Thiruvananthapuram section will deviate from the present one.

The completion cost of the project is estimated to be Rs 63,941 crore, and the work is expected to be completed by 2025. The DPR has been submitted to the Ministry of Railways. The project has already received the in-principle approval from the Ministry of Railways.

The SilverLine corridor connecting Thiruvananthapuram and Kasaragod in 4 hours will enable running of semi-high speed trains at an operational speed of 200 km per hour in the 529.45 km stretch. The line will be laid through least populated areas in 15-30 metre width, so as to limit the acquisition of land to the barest minimum possible. The land required will be acquired as per the RFCTLARR Act 2013 and will be given good compensation.

Way Forward

Soon, Kerala will change the way it travels

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

0471 232 5330 keralarail.com0471 232 4330 / 232 6330 krdclgok@gmail.com

Contact us: Kerala Rail Development Corporation Ltd., 5th Floor, Trans Towers, Vazhuthacaud, Thycaud P.O, Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala-695 014

fb.com/OfficialKRail krail OfficialKRail OfficialKRail OfficialKRail 94468 79687

FROM MD’S DESKThe State Cabinet has approved the Detailed Project Report and the Alignment of SilverLine. The DPR has been submitted to Railway Board for approval and thereafter will be sent to NITI Aayog and the Union Cabinet. The project has already received the in-principle approval from the Ministry of Railways.

SilverLine will enhance connectivity with other means of transportation and networks, including most of the big, medium and small towns, paving the way for decentralised development. It will ensure easy accessibility to international airports, commercial hubs, hospitals and cultural centres.

Besides fast-tracking the State’s overall development, the project will impart greater momentum to the economic activity in the post - COVID recessionary phase, o�ering plenty of opportunities to NRKs returning home. SilverLine will also generate both direct and indirect job opportunities during construction and operation phase.

Apart from throwing up plenty of job opportunities, it will also lead to the emergence of employment hubs related to a wide range of economic and commercial activities. By considerably reducing the dependence on road tra�c, it will substantially save fuel cost. By modest estimates, no less than 500 trucks will be taken o� the road per day. This will not only decongest the roads but also reduce road accidents sharply and address the problems of atmospheric pollution. The project will also boost tourism, which is a prime source of income for the state.

Experts SpeakPower Supply and Traction System

High-Speed Rail Transit System requires a reliable and uninterrupted power supply for the e�cient operation of Train services, Operation Control Center (OCC), Station services (Lighting, Air-conditioning, Fire fighting and alarm systems, Elevators, Escalator, Signalling and Telecommunications etc), Depot Services (Inspection shed, Workshop and Pit wheel lathe, etc), Tunnel ventilation, lighting and other maintenance infrastructure.

To promote Sustainability & Green energy, K-Rail has planned to use 100 percent power from renewable sources for train operation and auxiliary services.It is

proposed to purchase renewable power from Kerala State Electricity Board (KSEBL), Renewable power supply companies (RESCO) and by in-house generation. Locations have been identified along the SilverLine corridor for installation of the solar panels, such as rooftops of depot workshop, station & buildings, compound walls of track area, depot & other area and groundmounted solar panels, wherever free land and track sides are available.

Eight numbers of EHT Traction Sub-Stations (TSS) of 110kV/50kV, which are fed from KSEBL Grid Sub-Stations (GSS) at 220/110kV level to ensure reliable supply, are provided along the corridor for train operation. The traction feeding system adopted is 2x25kV autotransformer type. The 110kV supply from KSEBL is stepped down to 50kV (2x25kV) by 110/50 kV, 40/54 MVA transformers for traction purpose at the Traction substations (TSS) and is fed to the Overhead Contact System to supply power to the train at 25kV. Simple catenary type of Overhead Contact System (OCS) with traction wire (catenary & contact) and return feeder wire with Auto Transformer (AT) type feeding arrangement is proposed. Neutral Sections are placed in between 2 traction substations, which are provided to prevent the pantograph from causing short-circuit/bridging to the di�erent phases of power supplies when a train pass. The latest type of Automatic Switching Neutral Sections (ASNS) is proposed

In 2025, based on ridership estimate and operation schedules, the energy consumption is estimated to be approximately 279 million units. Similarly, in 2052, the energy consumption is estimated to be 497 million units.

To ensure continuity of supply under all conditions, it is proposed to arrange the 33/11kV feed to the Auxiliary substations (ASS) from KSEBL by a double circuit. Auxiliary sub-stations (ASS) are provided at each Station and Depot to step down 33/11kV/415V supply and to feed auxiliary systems (lighting, fire pumps, elevators, escalator, air-conditioning system etc).Each ASS has 2 Nos. of auxiliary transformers out of which, one transformer is working at a time and the second transformer acts as standby.

Back up: The entire critical load connected with train operation in stations/depot and other essential & emergency services are provided with DG with AMF backup. In addition, UPS of adequate capacity are provided to have uninterrupted continuity of supply for critical loads.

A separate connection of 11kV/ 415V will be availed with DG backup to cater the tunnel ventilation and lighting loads.

Signalling equipment in the wayside are fed with traction supply through a separate auxiliary transformer of single-phase, 25kV / 230 V with a backup of 415/ 230V from KSEBL.

The entire power supply and traction distribution system is monitored, controlled and operated remotely from the Operation Control Center (OCC) by using a highly automated SCADA system. Automated building management system (BMS) is used to control and operate the HVAC, lighting, pumps, elevators and other utilities, which are also connected to the service SCADA.

In 2025, SilverLine is expected to reduce approximately 287994 tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent and by 2052, approximately 594636 tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent and it is expected to continue reductions in Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions and air pollutants.

Reply to Public Queries

Alignment of SilverLine The Alignment of SilverLine as approved by Kerala State Cabinet on 10.06.2020 has been published in the o�cial website of Kerala Rail Development Corporation Limited: https://keralarail.com/alignment-of-silver-line-corridor/. The corridor width may vary from 15-30 m depending on the site conditions.

Is the published alignment of SilverLine, Final?The alignment which has been approved by the State Cabinet has been submitted to Central Government for Approval. Once the alignment gets all requisite approvals, the final alignment will be published with or without any modification.

Social Media

Media Coverage

(Will be continued in next issue)

Mr. Manoj V.CLead Engineer/ Power Supply and Traction

Systra

SilverLine Stations at a glance:SilverLine stations are proposed in such a manner they are located in the city centre or as close to them so that the people could easily reach the stations located within a short distance.

(Continuation from the previous issue)

TIRUR STATION

The Tirur station for Silver Line is proposed as a ground-level station. The station is proposed on the left side of the existing Tirur Railway station at a distance of 3.82 km North, and parallel to the existing railway network.

THRISSUR STATION

The Thrissur station for SilverLine is proposed as an elevated station with interchange facility. The station is proposed on the left side of the existing Thrissur Railway station, parallel and adjacent to the existing railway network for easy integration. An additional RORO station is proposed in Thrissur, near Muriyad, which will provide RORO services for transporting conventional goods vehicles using special types of wagons.

ERNAKULAM STATION

The Ernakulam station for SilverLine is proposed as an elevated station, at a distance of 10.2 km from the existing Railway Station. The proposed station will be near to the Infopark & Smart City at Kakkanad and will also ensure better integration with the Metro station as well as the Water Metro.

An additional RORO station is also being planned at Ernakulam, which will provide RORO services for transporting conventional goods vehicles using special types of wagons.

Dr. Vishwas Mehta IASChief Secretary, Govt. of Kerala

Welcoming our New Chairman

Dr. Vishwas Mehta IAS, Chief Secretary, Govt. of Kerala has been appointed as the Chairman of K-Rail. Mr. Mehta, an IAS o�cer of the 1986 batch, started his tenure as Kollam Assistant Collector in June 1987 and continued in the post till June 1988. Subsequently, he served as Assistant Collector in Wayanad. Mr. Mehta took over as Deputy Secretary in the Revenue Department in 1991, and in 1992 he became Managing Director of the Kerala State Cooperative Rubber Marketing Federation. He had also served as District Collector of Idukki and Wayanad and as Managing Director of Milma. Mr. Mehta had also o�ciated as Health Secretary, Educational Principal Secretary, Revenue Principal Secretary, Revenue Additional Chief Secretary, among others.

Shri. Ajay Sharma IRSE is currently working as

Executive Director(SPV/MTP), Railway board. He

belongs to 1990 batch of IRSE and has worked in

various positions in S E Railway, E Co Railway,

Northern Railway and Railway Board. He has also

worked in DMRC on deputation for over 5 years and

commissioned 2 metro corridors. Shri. Ajay Sharma IRSE

About K-RailAn Agreement was signed between the Government of Kerala and the Ministry of Railways to form a company to compliment Indian Railways in building Railway infrastructure in the State of Kerala as per the aspirations of people. A Joint Venture Company was constituted on 3rd January 2017 named Kerala Rail Development Corporation Limited (K-Rail). K-Rail undertakes project development works for an identified basket of projects, which will inter-alia include surveys, preparation of Detailed Project Report (DPR) and getting requisite approval, processing for sanctioning of identified projects and implementation of the sanctioned projects.

More About SilverLine:Rolling Stock - Interior Aesthetics

SilverLine will be a transportation system which provides an optimised and flexible response to Kerala’s mobility needs.

The Interior components of the Rolling Stock plays a vital role in o�ering comfort and safe journey to passenger and crew. The interior components will be fire resistant and shall reduce the noise and vibration inside the Rolling Stock.

The floor unit plays an important role in the EMU type of trains in reducing the noise and vibration emitting from underframe equipment. The interior floor covering will be antiskid, firm, durable and aesthetically pleasing. The ceiling shall be suitable for fixing the light luminaries and displays. The ceiling also provides support for fixing the air duct and the air conditioning di�users.

Row type of seating is planned for the passenger seating. The types of seating arrangement include Executive class (2+2 type of seating) and Standard class (2+3 type of seating).

Emergency windows shall be identified in each car for the evacuation purpose. Luggage racks shall be provided on one end of each car and two rows of luggage rack for placing small items, will be provided above the seat, on the sidewalls of each car interior.

There will be two doors on each side of the train for boarding and deboarding from the station. In addition to this, two ends of each car shall be provided with end doors for smooth passenger flow.

The vehicle interior will also facilitate the mobility of impaired passengers from having full accessibility to the transport system. Toilet facility for normal passengers as well as the persons with reduced mobility will be provided. One car in each train shall be provided with the facilities for the persons with reduced mobility. Wheelchair areas will be marked specifically in this car for the wheel chaired passengers.

RORO services during night time

‘Roll On Roll O�’ service known as RORO is the rail transportation system in which trucks are loaded on the railway wagons and transported to longer distances. The RORO trains are formed by two locomotives and 40 wagons coupled together. Two locomotives are required for hauling the train in steep gradient and to maintain 120 kmph. The locomotive shall be both directions driving type. Standard gauge wagons are to be used to take the trucks on board. The wagons shall be provided with flaps on end and side for loading of the trucks, from both ends and sides of the wagon as per the requirement. About 450 - 480 trucks will be shifted from road to rail through RORO daily, thereby reducing heavy tra�c in roads which in turn reduces the probability of accidents.

Green Energy

It is planned to use 100 percentage of power from renewable sources like solar energy by inhouse production, purchase of renewable power from a third party and KSEBL, to make SilverLine a green and Sustainable Transport System.

K-Rail is proposing to develop a sustainability policy in collaboration with the Indian Institute of Management (IIM) - Ahmedabad and other nodal agencies.

Strategies proposed to be adopted during construction include items such as requirements for recycling all steel and concrete; diversion of construction waste from landfills through reuse and recycling; use of new, low emission construction equipment and replacement of ine�cient truck engines and irrigation pumps. K-Rail will also be working with agencies to implement an urban forestry program to o�set greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions associated with construction. This program will deliver additional benefits, such as providing shade and recreation for communities within the train corridor. The station buildings, depot, administrative building and other service buildings may be designed based on the platinum rating standard of Indian Green Building Council (IGBC).

More About SilverLine:Rolling Stock - Interior Aesthetics

SilverLine will be a transportation system which provides an optimised and flexible response to Kerala’s mobility needs.

The Interior components of the Rolling Stock plays a vital role in o�ering comfort and safe journey to passenger and crew. The interior components will be fire resistant and shall reduce the noise and vibration inside the Rolling Stock.

The floor unit plays an important role in the EMU type of trains in reducing the noise and vibration emitting from underframe equipment. The interior floor covering will be antiskid, firm, durable and aesthetically pleasing. The ceiling shall be suitable for fixing the light luminaries and displays. The ceiling also provides support for fixing the air duct and the air conditioning di�users.

Row type of seating is planned for the passenger seating. The types of seating arrangement include Executive class (2+2 type of seating) and Standard class (2+3 type of seating).

Emergency windows shall be identified in each car for the evacuation purpose. Luggage racks shall be provided on one end of each car and two rows of luggage rack for placing small items, will be provided above the seat, on the sidewalls of each car interior.

There will be two doors on each side of the train for boarding and deboarding from the station. In addition to this, two ends of each car shall be provided with end doors for smooth passenger flow.

The vehicle interior will also facilitate the mobility of impaired passengers from having full accessibility to the transport system. Toilet facility for normal passengers as well as the persons with reduced mobility will be provided. One car in each train shall be provided with the facilities for the persons with reduced mobility. Wheelchair areas will be marked specifically in this car for the wheel chaired passengers.

RORO services during night time

‘Roll On Roll O�’ service known as RORO is the rail transportation system in which trucks are loaded on the railway wagons and transported to longer distances. The RORO trains are formed by two locomotives and 40 wagons coupled together. Two locomotives are required for hauling the train in steep gradient and to maintain 120 kmph. The locomotive shall be both directions driving type. Standard gauge wagons are to be used to take the trucks on board. The wagons shall be provided with flaps on end and side for loading of the trucks, from both ends and sides of the wagon as per the requirement. About 450 - 480 trucks will be shifted from road to rail through RORO daily, thereby reducing heavy tra�c in roads which in turn reduces the probability of accidents.

Green Energy

It is planned to use 100 percentage of power from renewable sources like solar energy by inhouse production, purchase of renewable power from a third party and KSEBL, to make SilverLine a green and Sustainable Transport System.

K-Rail is proposing to develop a sustainability policy in collaboration with the Indian Institute of Management (IIM) - Ahmedabad and other nodal agencies.

Strategies proposed to be adopted during construction include items such as requirements for recycling all steel and concrete; diversion of construction waste from landfills through reuse and recycling; use of new, low emission construction equipment and replacement of ine�cient truck engines and irrigation pumps. K-Rail will also be working with agencies to implement an urban forestry program to o�set greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions associated with construction. This program will deliver additional benefits, such as providing shade and recreation for communities within the train corridor. The station buildings, depot, administrative building and other service buildings may be designed based on the platinum rating standard of Indian Green Building Council (IGBC).

Typical LV distribution system in stations

Congratulations to Shri. Sadasivan K P !!!

Shri. Sadasivan K P, Peon/K-Rail has been selected as the Employee of the Month for May 2020. He has been attending o�ce diligently even during the early days of the Lockdown period and has been instrumental in carrying out the routine sanitising work in O�ce as per the requirement of the Covid-19 Protocol.

EMPLOYEE OF THE MONTH

Typical feeding arrangement of 2x25kV autotransformer type traction feeding system.

Welcoming our New Director

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DPR & Alignment of SilverLine approved by K-Rail board and Govt. of Kerala

Freezing construction activities within 30m from the centre line of alignment by the State Government

Submitted DPR to Southern Railway Headquarters for comments and suggestions

DPR Submitted to Ministry of Railways

Approval by NITI Aayog

Approval of DPR by Ministry of Railways

Approval by the extended railway board

Approval by Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA)

Cabinet Approval for project execution