Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan has approved the first-phase alignment of the Thiruvananthapuram Metro Rail project, giving the long-delayed urban transport venture a major push forward. The approval marks a decisive step in transforming the capital city’s public transport network and integrating it with the state’s broader mobility plans, though officials acknowledge that funding, coordination, and land acquisition could present significant hurdles ahead.
According to the Chief Minister’s Office, the metro’s first phase will strategically link the city’s major transport and institutional hubs — including the three phases of Technopark, the Thiruvananthapuram International Airport, the Thampanoor bus stand and railway station, the Secretariat, and the Government Medical College Hospital. The plan envisions a 31-km elevated corridor stretching from Pappanamcode to Enchakkal, passing through densely populated areas such as Killipalam, Palayam, Sreekaryam, Kazhakoottam, Technopark, and Kochuveli.
The proposed line will include 27 stations, with Kazhakootam, Technopark, and Karyavattom designated as key interchange points. The implementation of the metro will be handled by Kochi Metro Rail Limited (KMRL), which already operates the Kochi Metro and brings technical and operational expertise to the project.
As part of the preparatory phase, KMRL has been assigned the construction of three flyovers — at Sreekaryam, Ulloor, and Pattom — to alleviate traffic congestion along National Highway 66 and adjacent corridors before full-scale metro construction begins. The Sreekaryam flyover is already under rapid progress, according to state officials.
In a statement, the Chief Minister described the project as a “catalyst for Thiruvananthapuram’s future growth”, emphasising that the metro would redefine connectivity in the expanding city and spur economic and infrastructural development in the capital region.
The Transport Department has now directed KMRL to prepare a Detailed Project Report (DPR) in accordance with the Metro Rail Policy of 2017 and central government guidelines. The DPR will include cost estimates, alignment details, ridership projections, and environmental impact assessments before it is submitted to the Union Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs for approval.
The Thiruvananthapuram Metro project has undergone multiple revisions since its inception. Initially conceived in 2015 under the Kerala Rapid Transit Corporation Ltd (KRTL), the project was originally planned as a light metro system for both Thiruvananthapuram and Kozhikode. However, after technical re-evaluation, the government transferred responsibility to KMRL in September 2022, instructing it to conduct a Comprehensive Mobility Plan (CMP), Alternative Analysis Report (AAR), and revised DPR.
KMRL’s studies later concluded that a light metro or monorail system would be insufficient for Thiruvananthapuram’s rapidly growing commuter base and traffic density. The agency instead recommended a conventional heavy metro system, similar to those operational in major Indian cities such as Bengaluru, Chennai, and Kochi.
Following multiple stakeholder consultations, KMRL presented its final alignment proposal on November 4, which received government approval on Friday. Officials said the chosen route ensures maximum coverage of residential, commercial, and institutional clusters, providing direct connectivity between the airport, IT hubs, and major public transport nodes.
While the project’s approval has been widely welcomed, challenges remain. The cost of the metro’s first phase is expected to exceed ₹13,000 crore, requiring both state and central funding support, as well as loans from international financial institutions. Additionally, the corridor passes through heavily built-up urban areas, meaning land acquisition and utility shifting could delay implementation timelines.
Nonetheless, the government views the metro as a crucial part of its strategy to modernise Thiruvananthapuram’s infrastructure. Once operational, the system is expected to significantly reduce traffic congestion, cut travel time, and promote sustainable urban mobility, transforming Kerala’s capital into a model for integrated metropolitan transport.
