As many as eight development projects for the railway network in the State, including the Rapid Rail Transit System (RRTS), rail coach factory at Kanjikode and the ambitious Sabari Rail, have been identified for implementation through cost-sharing between the State government and the Railways.

The 156-km Nilambur-Nanjengud line, 39-km Guruvayur-Thirunavaya line, 136-km Kochi-Madurai line, connectivity from Ferook to the Cochin international airport, doubling, electrification, and gauge conversion in the Thiruvananthapuram and Palakkad railway divisions are the other projects.

Though the 23-km rail connectivity from Kannur to link the greenfield international airport coming up at Mattannur figured in the list, it was avoided, as it had found mention in the Railway Budget.

“The priority list, finalised by the State Transport Department, has already been forwarded to the Railways for their perusal,” Transport Secretary M. Sivasankar told The Hindu .

The Rs.3,330.78-crore RRTS, proposed from Thiruvananthapuram to Chengannur with an upgrade of the existing railway network, tops the list, as the State has in its possession the Detailed Project Report prepared by the Mumbai Rail Vikas Corporation. The RRTS is aimed at addressing problems facing short-distance commuters.

Viable projects

According to a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed between the State and the Railways on January 27 this year, commercially viable railway projects will be identified and handed over to the Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) to be fast-tracked on a 51:49 per cent equity basis. The shareholders’ agreement for the Joint Venture (JV) company to be set up by the Railways and the State government has already been vetted by the Finance and Law departments, the official said.

The scrutiny was in the wake of a directive from the Railways to furnish comments, suggestions, and modifications, if any, on the agreement. Further action for setting up the SPV is likely only after the new government assumes power.

Nodal officers

The State and the Railways have to appoint a nodal officer each for implementing the provisions of the MoU. The Chief Administrative Officer (Construction) is doing the coordinating role for the Railways.

The Articles of Association and the Memorandum of Association should be submitted to the Registrar of Companies to form the JV.

Divisional Railway Manager Sunil Bajpai said the priority list of the State for cost-sharing had already reached the Railways.

Commercially viable railway projects to be handed over to Special Purpose Vehicle