India, July 2026 — The Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) has offered to implement Kerala's proposed high-speed railway project under a turnkey model, taking responsibility for engineering, procurement, construction, and project delivery. The proposal comes as the Kerala government evaluates an expert committee's findings on the feasibility and implementation strategy for the new corridor.
The proposed railway would connect Thiruvananthapuram and Kannur through an approximately 473-kilometre predominantly elevated corridor, with an estimated project cost of around ₹57,000 crore. According to DMRC, the line could accommodate approximately 228,000 passengers per day and significantly reduce travel times while linking all four international airports in Kerala. The corporation has stated that the project could be completed within five years after receiving the necessary statutory approvals.
DMRC's proposal reflects its intention to extend its role beyond metro systems into larger intercity rail infrastructure. Leveraging experience gained through metro rail implementation and consultancy projects across India, the organisation argues that a single turnkey delivery model could improve project coordination, minimise cost overruns, and streamline construction activities for a project of this scale.
The proposal follows Kerala's renewed efforts to advance a high-speed rail solution after earlier plans encountered regulatory and implementation challenges. State authorities are assessing funding mechanisms, engineering approaches, and institutional arrangements before deciding on the project's next phase, with the expert committee's recommendations expected to play a key role in determining the preferred delivery model.
If approved, the project would represent one of India's most significant intercity railway developments outside the national high-speed rail programme. The initiative highlights a broader trend towards adopting integrated project delivery models to accelerate complex rail infrastructure while supporting regional connectivity, sustainable mobility, and long-term economic development.
Source: The Hindu
DMRC Seeks Turnkey Role For Kerala High-Speed Rail Project
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State governments are increasingly exploring alternative delivery models to accelerate major rail infrastructure projects while reducing implementation risks. The Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) has proposed executing Kerala's planned high-speed railway on a turnkey basis, positioning its project delivery expertise to support one of India's largest proposed rail investments.
