Kerala is moving decisively towards a state-wide high-speed rail network, following the formal rejection of its long-pending SilverLine project. Finance Minister K N Balagopal unveiled the 2026-27 state budget on Thursday, earmarking ₹100 crore for the Rapid Rail initiative — a key step in realising the Regional Rapid Transit System (RRTS) from Thiruvananthapuram to Kasaragod. Integration with the existing Kochi Metro and planned metro systems in Thiruvananthapuram and Kozhikode will create a unified multimodal transport network. Phase 2: Malabar Line from Thrissur to Kozhikode with the Kozhikode Metro. If executed as planned, Kerala could have a state-wide high-speed network within 12 years, integrating metro corridors and regional transport seamlessly.