Thiruvananthapuram: A semi high-speed rail corridor will be established on the stretch of Thiruvananthapuram- Kasaragod. Paris-headquartered company Systra has signed a consultancy contract for Rs 27 crore to execute the project. The contract is valid for three years.

The proposed Thiruvananthapuram-Kasaragod semi high-speed rail corridor would benefit high speed journey across Kerala. The new path can reduce the journey time from Thiruvananthapuram to Kasaragod from 12-15 hours to 4.5 hours.

Kerala Rail Development Corporation told Mathrubhumi News that they expect Systra company to submit a detailed project report within seven months. The speed of the train would be 180 kmph.

The authorities expect that the train can run on an average speed of 125 kmph. Two new tracks have to be constructed to a length of 575 km. The construction of semi high-speed rail corridor is expected to be finished within five years at an estimated cost of Rs 56,000 crore.