Kochi: The Detailed Project Report (DPR) of the third track along the Ernakulam-Shoranur rail route, which is being built to increase the speed of train travel in the state will be submitted next month. The project will be implemented entirely at the expense of the railways.

The third track will be a boosting force in the plan to increase the speed of trains to 160 kmph. The existing Ernakulam-Shoranur route has many twists and turns. The present speed along this tract is 80 kmph.

However, not all stations on the existing railway line will come under the new track. Railway sources say that a path without curves and fewer stations will speed up the trains.

Ernakulam junction, Ernakulam north, Aluva, Thrissur, and Shoranur stations will be serviced by the new path. Additionally, one station each will be added between Aluva-Thrissur and Thrissur-Shoranur. 

It is estimated that 250 hectares of land will need to be acquired to lay the 107-kilometer-long line. Railway has instructed that land enough to bring about future expansion of a fourth land should be acquired.