Kerala can hope for new high speed rail network soon: Sreedharan
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Malappuram (PTI): 'Metroman' E Sreedharan on Saturday said Kerala can hope to see a high-speed rail network that will cut travel-time to Kannur from Thiruvananthapuram to 3.15 hours, as the Centre is expected to formally announce the project soon.
Sreedharan, former Managing Director of the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC), said that an office for the high speed rail project has already been established and work on preparing a Detailed Project Report (DPR) will commence there from February 2.
He said that once approved, the rail project -- which will replace the Left government's ambitious Silverline -- will be completed in five years at a cost of Rs 86,000 crore to Rs one lakh crore.
Of this amount, the state and central governments together will bear 60 per cent and the rest would be borrowed, he said.
He further said that 70 per cent of the rail line would be elevated, 20 per cent underground and only 10 per cent of it would be on the surface.
Therefore, the land to be acquired for it will be only one-third of that required for the Silverline project.
Furthermore, after completion of the project, the surplus land around the pillars would be given on lease for cultivation, he said.
The trains will have eight coaches that will accommodate 560 passengers, will travel at a maximum speed of 200 km per hour and stop at 22 stations, the Metroman said.
The high speed rail line will, however, end at Kannur and will not go up to Kasaragod for now.
"Extending it to Kasaragod or even Mangaluru can be considered later, if necessary," he said.
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BJP flags ‘suspicious’ circumstances in Kerala trekker Sharanya case, seeks probe
Madikeri (Karnataka) (PTI): The BJP on Wednesday demanded a thorough investigation into the case of Kerala trekker GS Sharanya, who went missing for three days and was later found.
Members of the BJP’s Kodagu unit lodged a complaint at the Napoklu police station, seeking a probe and stating that the case appeared suspicious.
Sharanya, who had gone on a trek to Tadiandamol hill near Kakkabbe, went missing and was later found on Sunday following a search operation by the police, forest department, and residents.
Kodagu BJP leader P Danoj submitted a complaint to the Station House Officer, seeking a proper investigation into the case.
Speaking on the occasion, he said the behaviour of Sharanya, who was found on the fourth day, had raised suspicions.
“It is impossible for anyone to survive in a dense forest for four days without food. Naxal activities are taking place in several areas, and this case has further raised suspicion,” he said.
He demanded that the police conduct a thorough investigation and inform the public of the truth.
Napoklu BJP Shakti Kendra president Ambikaryappa alleged that Sharanya’s disappearance could be a "publicity stunt".
“It appears to be a drama aimed at tarnishing the tourism prospects of our district. Moreover, it is suspicious that Sharanya, who was in the dense forest for four days, was found without any signs of fatigue,” Ambikaryappa said.
