The Kerala State Cabinet has given in-principle approval for a regional rapid transit system (RRTS) project, spanning 583 km from Thiruvananthapuram to Kasaragod.

This new initiative is seen as an alternative to the SilverLine semi-high-speed project, which faced technical concerns from Indian Railways and local communities. The state government will formally express its interest in the project to the Centre, and the transport department has been tasked with initiating consultations. The RRTS, which offers speeds of 160-180 km/h and high passenger capacity, is viewed as a practical and socially acceptable solution. The system, which can be entirely elevated, will integrate with existing urban Metro projects, improving last-mile connectivity and reducing reliance on private vehicles.

The first phase of the project, covering 284 km from Thiruvananthapuram to Thrissur, is scheduled to begin in 2027 and finish by 2033. The project funding will follow a similar model to Delhi's RRTS, with contributions from the state, Central government, and international financial institutions. As the release noted, “The ministry of housing and urban affairs adopted a favourable stance, considering the RRTS project implemented by the National Capital Region Transport Corporation in the Delhi-NCR region.”