Kerala Rail Development Corporation Limited, also known as K-Rail or KRDCL, is a public sector joint venture company established by the Government of Kerala and the Ministry of Railways, Government of India. The company is based in Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, and is involved in the planning and development of railway infrastructure projects in the state.[1]
| Type | Public sector undertaking |
|---|---|
| Industry | Rail transport |
| Founded | 3 January 2017 |
| Headquarters | , India |
Area served | Kerala |
| Services | Railway infrastructure planning and development |
| Owner | Government of Kerala and Ministry of Railways, Government of India |
| Website | keralarail |
KRDCL was incorporated on 3 January 2017. Its stated functions include preparation of detailed project reports, project surveys, obtaining statutory and administrative approvals, and implementing railway-related infrastructure projects in Kerala.[1]
Projects
editThalassery–Mysore new broad-gauge line
editThe Thalassery–Mysore new broad-gauge line is a proposed railway line intended to connect Thalassery in Kerala with Mysore in Karnataka. The project has been examined as a possible inter-state rail link between northern Kerala and southern Karnataka. According to earlier project material published by KRDCL, the proposed line was estimated at approximately 240 kilometres (150 mi) in length.[2]
| Scope | Detail |
|---|---|
| Route | Thalassery to Mysore |
| Proposed length | 240 kilometres (150 mi) |
| Gauge | Broad gauge |
| Status | Proposed |
Nilambur–Nanjangud railway line
editThe Nilambur–Nanjangud railway line is a proposed broad-gauge railway project intended to connect Nilambur in Malappuram district, Kerala, with Nanjangud in Karnataka. The line has been proposed as a shorter rail connection between Kerala and Karnataka, particularly between central Kerala and the Mysore region.
Earlier proposals for a railway connection through this region date back to the colonial period. KRDCL has listed the project among proposed rail infrastructure works, with earlier project material describing a route length of approximately 176 kilometres (109 mi).[3]
Ponnurunni coaching terminal proposal
editKRDCL submitted a feasibility report to Southern Railway for a proposed coaching terminal at Ponnurunni in Kochi. The proposal involved redevelopment of railway land for passenger train handling, maintenance, stabling and related railway operations.[4]
The feasibility study was reported to include plans for platforms, pit lines, parcel lines, stabling lines and other railway infrastructure. The proposal was intended to address operational constraints in the Kochi region, but it remained subject to railway approval and further implementation decisions.[5][6]
Sabari railway line
editThe Sabari railway line is a proposed railway line from Angamaly towards Erumely, associated with improved rail access to the Sabarimala region. The project was sanctioned by Indian Railways in 1998 but has faced delays over funding, alignment, land acquisition and implementation issues.
KRDCL has expressed interest in participating in the project under the joint venture model for railway infrastructure development in Kerala.[7]
Defunct projects
editSilverLine semi-high-speed rail corridor
editThe SilverLine project was a proposed semi-high-speed rail corridor between Thiruvananthapuram and Kasaragod. The proposed corridor was planned to cover approximately 529.45 kilometres (328.98 mi) and was intended to reduce travel time between the two cities to about four hours. The project was proposed as a double-line railway corridor with trains designed for speeds up to 200 kilometres per hour (120 mph).
The proposal attracted public debate over land acquisition, environmental concerns, financing, and technical approval from railway authorities. As of 2026, the project had not received final approval from the central government and was reported as stalled. In January 2026, the Government of Kerala gave in-principle approval to pursue a separate Regional Rapid Transit System proposal between Thiruvananthapuram and Kasaragod after the SilverLine proposal did not receive central approval.[8][9]
| Scope | Detail |
|---|---|
| Route | Thiruvananthapuram to Kasaragod |
| Proposed length | 529.45 kilometres (328.98 mi) |
| Proposed maximum speed | 200 kilometres per hour (120 mph) |
| Proposed travel time | About 4 hours |
| Proposed number of stations | 11 |
| Status | Stalled / not approved |
Regional Rapid Transit System proposal
editIn January 2026, the Government of Kerala gave in-principle approval for a proposed Regional Rapid Transit System corridor between Thiruvananthapuram and Kasaragod. The proposal was reported after the SilverLine project failed to obtain central approval. The proposed RRTS corridor was described as a separate project and not a continuation of the original SilverLine alignment.[10][11]
See also
edit
References
edit- 1 2 "About K-Rail". Kerala Rail Development Corporation Limited. Retrieved 20 May 2026.
- ↑ "Thalassery–Mysore New Broad-Gauge Line". Kerala Rail Development Corporation Limited. Archived from the original on 25 October 2020. Retrieved 21 May 2020.
- ↑ "Nanjangud–Nilambur Railway Line". Kerala Rail Development Corporation Limited. Archived from the original on 25 October 2020. Retrieved 20 May 2020.
- ↑ "KRDCL submits report on coaching terminal complex at Ponnurunni". Business Line. 31 January 2021. Retrieved 20 May 2026.
- ↑ "Railway terminal at Ponnurunni: Nod for feasibility study". The New Indian Express. 17 October 2020. Retrieved 20 May 2026.
- ↑ "Coaching terminal plan to take off soon". The New Indian Express. 30 January 2021. Retrieved 20 May 2026.
- ↑ "Kerala Rail Development Corpn evinces interest in Angamaly-Sabarimala rail project". Construction Week Online India. Retrieved 28 May 2021.
- ↑ "K-Rail shelved, cabinet nod for 583-km Regional Rapid Transit System corridor from TVM to Kasaragod". Onmanorama. 28 January 2026. Retrieved 20 May 2026.
- ↑ "Cabinet approved RRTS line from Thiruvananthapuram to Kasaragod after Centre did not approve SilverLine: Pinarayi Vijayan". The Times of India. 2026. Retrieved 20 May 2026.
- ↑ "K-Rail shelved, cabinet nod for 583-km Regional Rapid Transit System corridor from TVM to Kasaragod". Onmanorama. 28 January 2026. Retrieved 20 May 2026.
- ↑ "Cabinet approved RRTS line from Thiruvananthapuram to Kasaragod after Centre did not approve SilverLine: Pinarayi Vijayan". The Times of India. 2026. Retrieved 20 May 2026.