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Kochi Metro Rail Limited (KMRL) has submitted a revised Comprehensive Mobility Plan (CMP) for the proposed Thiruvananthapuram Metro project, aiming to develop a modern mass-transit system for Kerala's capital.
Thiruvananthapuram Metro Project
The Kerala government's Transport Department rejected the earlier plan, saying it did not meet central government norms, prompting KMRL to submit a revised CMP. The department had asked KMRL to revise the plan, which had reportedly been pending since December last year despite repeated requests. The new plan considers Thiruvananthapuram's changing transport needs and recent urban development to improve the metro integration with other public transport modes, including buses and share-autos.
The Metro's proposed alignment has also undergone several changes over the past year. The state had asked KMRL to reassess the route after the original alignment prepared by the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) was found impractical.
Under the revised alignment, the Metro will start from Kazhakkoottam instead of Pallipuram because the narrow median of NH-66 at Pallipuram would have made construction difficult. The route has also been changed to pass through the Medical College via Karyavattom. Elevated sections in heritage-sensitive areas such as Statue and Palayam have been avoided. A new Metro yard has also been proposed at the Karyavattom University campus.
Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan had earlier approved the alignment for the first phase. The 31-km corridor will connect major locations, including all three phases of Technopark, Thiruvananthapuram International Airport, Thampanoor KSRTC bus stand, the railway station, Secretariat and Government Medical College Hospital. The route will have 27 stations, with key interchanges at Kazhakkoottam, Technopark and Karyavattom.
Administrative approval for light metro systems in Thiruvananthapuram and Kozhikode was first given in 2015. The project was later handed over completely to KMRL in September 2022, including preparation of the CMP, Alternative Analysis Report and revised DPR.
KMRL's mobility study found that a monorail or light metro would not be sufficient for the city's growing population and recommended a conventional Metro system instead.
KMRL Managing Director Loknath Behera had earlier said that the DPR was also being revised following directions from the Union government to align it with the PM Gati Shakti National Master Plan, which focuses on better integration between different modes of transport.
The revised mobility plan comes after repeated delays to the project due to alignment changes, plan revisions and procedural requirements.