New Delhi: Kerala has been left out of the Union Budget announcement of seven high-speed rail corridors, including routes connecting three southern states. This comes even as Metro Man E Sreedharan opens a new office in Ponnani for a proposed high-speed rail corridor project in the state.

However, Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said at a post-Budget press conference that the new high-speed rail corridor connecting Chennai, Bengaluru and Hyderabad would benefit the entire southern region, including Kerala.

He said several project proposals related to Kerala are currently under consideration and that the Centre would provide more clarity on matters concerning the state at Monday’s press conference.

The Minister also said details of the technologies to be used for high-speed rail construction would be finalised within three months.

At present, the Ahmedabad–Mumbai high-speed rail corridor is under construction. In addition, two dedicated freight corridors connecting various states and districts are also being developed. Vaishnaw said the high-speed rail corridor would benefit five states, including Kerala.

However, when asked whether any high-speed rail corridor would pass through Kerala, the Minister did not give a direct answer. Instead, he asked whether Malayalis do not travel to other states and whether they would not benefit from the high-speed rail corridors there.