Public opinion is to be elicited on the proposed 430 km High Speed Railway (HSR) line between Kochuveli in Thiruvananthapuram and Kannur, aimed to make travel hassle-free and reduce the congestion being faced in road corridors.
The Kerala High Speed Rail Corporation Limited (KHSRCL), the public limited company floated by the government to execute the project, has commenced ground work for the survey.
“We want to hear the views of the public on the alignment and the detailed project report (DPR) prepared by Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC). The views of the cross section of the society will be collected in a professional way,” T. Balakrishnan, Chairman and Managing Director, KHSRCL, told The Hindu on Friday.
Stating that the KHSRCL had an “open mind” on the ambitious Rs.1,27,849-crore project, Mr. Balakrishnan said they were looking for “unbiased, free and frank opinion” from the public.
The survey will cover the proposed alignment, about four to eight km east of the existing rail line from south to north, and other areas. “Opinion will be sought on the basis of age, locality, income and community. The public can even comment on the alignment and alternatives.”
Through the survey, the authorities are trying to gauge the mood of the people and to counter the opposition that may come up against land acquisition. The initiative, billed as the first of its kind for an MRTS in the country, is also aimed at suppressing the dissent of the minority that comes out against development projects in the State.
Of the 430 km, 105 km will be underground in tunnels, 190 km elevated on viaducts and the remaining 135 km is at grade/cut and cover.
As much as 1,155.57 hectares of private land has to be acquired, 3,868 residential/commercial structures relocated and 36,923 trees felled as per the DPR prepared by the DMRC and pending approval of the government.
With trains to run at a maximum speed of 300 km per hour, a journey from the capital to Kollam will take only 20 minutes, Kochi 45 minutes, Kozhikode 90 minutes and Kannur 120 minutes.
Kollam, Chengannur, Kottayam, Kochi, Thrissur, Valancherry, Kozhikode and Kannur are the stations proposed in three reaches. The survey would be completed in two months, he added.
