Metroman E Sreedharan has moved ahead with plans for a high-speed rail corridor in Kerala, even as the state did not feature in the Union Budget’s rail announcements. On Monday, he formally initiated the project by opening an office in Ponnani, signalling the start of groundwork for the ambitious proposal.

According to Sreedharan, the centre will function as a public interface, allowing people to learn about the project, seek clarifications and raise concerns. He said the initial focus would be on outreach and transparency, stressing the importance of addressing public doubts before advancing further.

Public interaction programmes are set to begin on February 15, starting in Malappuram district and later extending to other regions along the proposed alignment. With the opening of the office, Sreedharan said official activities related to the project have commenced, and staff appointments will be made in stages.

Emphasising a people-centric approach, Sreedharan said development should not inconvenience the public and that any issues arising during execution must be resolved through dialogue. Field-level studies are expected to begin in April, with decisions on alignment and station locations to be finalised on site. The proposal includes 22 stations, and preliminary fieldwork is targeted for completion before June.

Once public confidence is established, detailed survey work will follow. Sreedharan noted that building trust is key to the project’s progress. Citing the impending monsoon, he said the team would move ahead without waiting for formal clearances, underlining the need to avoid delays.

The proposed rail corridor will run from Thiruvananthapuram to Kannur, with trains designed to operate at speeds of up to 200 kmph. While the project is envisaged to be implemented by the Railway Ministry, the state government’s views will be sought after the preparation of the Detailed Project Report (DPR).

Even as Sreedharan remains optimistic about central approval, the Kerala government is currently pursuing a Regional Rapid Transit System along a similar route, indicating parallel approaches to improving the state’s rail connectivity.