Kerala High-Speed Rail (KHSR)
Kerala High-Speed Rail (KHSR) is a proposed 473 km high-speed rail corridor championed by engineer E. Sreedharan to connect Thiruvananthapuram and Kannur across 23 proposed stations. Its route map and the latest updates are below.
Sreedharan, the former Delhi Metro Rail Corporation chief, opened a project office in Ponnani, Malappuram district in February 2026, staffed by former DMRC officials, to develop KHSR as a mostly elevated and underground high-speed alternative to both the cancelled SilverLine project and the state’s newly approved RRTS corridor. He has argued that RRTS suits shorter suburban routes and that Kerala instead needs true inter-city high-speed rail. An interim report was submitted to Chief Minister V. D. Satheesan in May 2026.
The project remains an independent proposal. As of May 2026, no government sanction, detailed project report, funding closure or implementing agency had been confirmed. The proposal suggests about 40% of its estimated ₹60,000 crore cost, roughly ₹24,000 crore, could be raised through crowdfunding, with the remainder from government sources.
Why it matters
KHSR is the third distinct plan proposed for Kerala’s north-south rail corridor in as many years, after SilverLine (cancelled in May 2026) and the state’s own RRTS corridor (in-principle approved). Whether Kerala ends up building one of these, several, or none is one of the more closely watched open questions in Indian rail policy.
Explore more
Latest updates
Phases
| Phase | Lines | Stations | Length (km) | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| KHSR | Thiruvananthapuram-Kannur | 23 | 473 | Proposed |
Milestones
- E. Sreedharan opens a project office in Ponnani, Malappuram to develop KHSR
- Interim report submitted to Chief Minister V. D. Satheesan
Frequently asked questions
What is Kerala High-Speed Rail (KHSR)?
A proposed 473 km high-speed rail corridor from Thiruvananthapuram to Kannur, championed by engineer E. Sreedharan as an independent alternative to SilverLine and the state's RRTS corridor.
Who is behind KHSR?
E. Sreedharan, the former Delhi Metro Rail Corporation chief, working with former DMRC officials from a project office opened in Ponnani in February 2026.
Is KHSR approved?
No. As of May 2026 it remains an independent proposal; an interim report was submitted to the Chief Minister but no government sanction, detailed project report or implementing agency has been confirmed.
How does KHSR differ from the Kerala RRTS Corridor and SilverLine?
SilverLine was cancelled in May 2026. The RRTS corridor has in-principle state approval for shorter-range rapid transit. KHSR proposes true high-speed, mostly elevated and underground construction, and is not yet a government-sanctioned project.
Journey Planner & Route Map
Awarded tenders & contracts
No awarded tenders or contracts recorded yet.
Ongoing tenders
No ongoing tenders for this project right now.
Upcoming tenders
No upcoming tenders announced yet.