Kerala approves alignment for ₹11,561 crore Thiruvananthapuram Metro Rail Project Phase 1

Thiruvananthapuram, India (Metro Rail Today): In a major development for Kerala’s urban transport infrastructure, the state government has approved the alignment for Phase 1 of the Thiruvananthapuram Metro Rail Project, officials from Kochi Metro Rail Limited (KMRL) confirmed on Friday.

The approval marks a key milestone in realizing the long-awaited metro system for the state capital, which is expected to significantly improve connectivity, decongest roads, and enhance commuter convenience across Thiruvananthapuram’s most vital corridors.

According to KMRL, the first-phase alignment will connect Pappanamcode to Eenchakkal, covering major employment, administrative, and transit hubs including Technopark, Thiruvananthapuram International Airport, Thampanoor Bus Stand, Central Railway Station, Secretariat, and Medical College.

The alignment was finalized following a high-level secretary meeting chaired by the state government. Officials said the alignment was selected based on technical feasibility, commuter convenience, and integration potential with other modes of transport.

“The most ideal route was found to be from Pappanamcode to Eenchakkal as it caters to thousands of daily commuters while integrating major activity centers of the city,” KMRL stated.

Key Stations Under the Proposed Corridor

The proposed Thiruvananthapuram Metro Phase 1 will feature multiple strategically located stations aimed at maximizing coverage and connectivity. Major stops include:

Pappanamcode, Kaimanam, Karamana, Killipalam Junction, Thampanoor, Secretariat, Palayam, Plamoodu, Pattom, Murinjapalam, Medical College, Ulloor, Pongumoodu, Sreekaryam, Pangappara, Gurumandiram, Karyavattom, Technopark Phase-I (interchange), Technopark Phase-III, Kulathoor, Technopark Phase-II, Akkulam Lake, Kochuveli, Venpalavattom, Chakka, Thiruvananthapuram International Airport, and Eenchakkal.

This alignment will ensure seamless connectivity between the state’s IT, administrative, commercial, and transit hubs, making urban commuting faster, safer, and more sustainable.

Earlier, the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA) had advised the Kerala government to ensure that the metro corridor includes direct connectivity to the Thiruvananthapuram International Airport to strengthen regional and intermodal transport integration.

Following this, KMRL revised the alignment plan to incorporate airport and Technopark connectivity, aligning the project with India’s broader urban mobility goals under the Viksit Bharat 2047 vision.

In addition to the metro line, the Kerala government will also implement key road infrastructure upgrades, including flyovers at Sreekaryam, Ulloor, and Pattom, to ease traffic flow and complement the metro system.

These projects are designed to create a comprehensive multi-modal transport ecosystem, improving the overall efficiency of urban mobility in the state capital.

KMRL to Introduce Freight Services on Metro Network

In another innovative move, KMRL announced plans to launch a freight service modeled on the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation’s (DMRC) system. The service will operate during non-peak hours, transporting non-perishable, packaged goods while maintaining uninterrupted passenger operations.

This initiative aims to boost revenue generation while supporting urban logistics efficiency and reducing vehicular congestion on city roads.

“The approval of the Thiruvananthapuram Metro Phase 1 alignment marks a transformative step in Kerala’s public transport journey,” said Mrs. Mamta Shah, MD & CEO of Urban Infra Group and Managing Editor of Metro Rail Today.
“By connecting Technopark, the airport, and the city center, this project will not only ease daily commuting but also catalyze economic and urban growth across the capital region.”

The Thiruvananthapuram Metro project, once implemented, will serve as a model for integrated urban mobility in smaller Indian capitals, demonstrating how technology-driven planning and inter-agency coordination can build efficient, eco-friendly, and inclusive transport systems for the future.