Kerala likely to approve ₹11,560.8 crore Trivandrum Metro Rail Project next month

Thiruvananthapuram, India (Metro Rail Today): In a significant move towards enhancing public transportation infrastructure, the proposed conventional metro rail project in Thiruvananthapuram, the capital city of Kerala, is gaining momentum. The project, estimated at a total cost of ₹11,560.8 crore, aims to alleviate the burgeoning traffic congestion and cater to the future transportation needs of the city's residents.

According to the detailed project report (DPR) prepared by the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC), the allocated budget will be divided between two corridors. Corridor I, spanning from Technocity at Pallipuram to Pallichal, will cost ₹7,503.18 crore, while Corridor II, extending from Kazhakkoottam to Killipalam, will receive ₹4,057.7 crore in funding.

Sources reveal that the executive summary of the DPR, currently under review by the state government, outlines the project's scope and financial estimates. Submitted by the Kochi Metro Rail Limited (KMRL), the project's implementing agency, the summary is anticipated to gain approval in the coming month.

The comprehensive budget encompasses various aspects of metro rail construction, including civil, electrical, signalling, and telecommunication works, along with provisions for rolling stock, environmental protection, and rehabilitation measures. Corridor I, spanning 30.8 kilometers, is slated to feature 25 elevated stations, while Corridor II, covering 15.9 kilometers, will incorporate 13 stations, including two underground stations at East Fort and Killipalam Junction. Kazhakkoottam and Killipalam are designated as the terminal stations for Corridor II.

Recent discussions led by former chief secretary K M Abraham have underscored the project's alignment and key details outlined in the executive summary. Upon receiving in-principle approval from the state government, KMRL is poised to submit the final DPR for regulatory clearance, expected to be finalized once the model code of conduct is lifted, likely in June.

The project's inception was preceded by a thorough field survey conducted by DMRC, culminating in December. This survey, encompassing 45 kilometers and including the proposed alignment via NH-66, served as a pivotal precursor for DPR preparation. Given the anticipated surge in traffic volume due to the impending Vizhinjam Port and IT-related developments, the state government has prioritized the metro rail initiative as outlined in the comprehensive mobility plan (CMP).

With the construction of flyovers at Sreekaryam and Pattom slated as initial undertakings, the Thiruvananthapuram Metro Project signifies a substantial leap towards bolstering the city's infrastructure and addressing future transportation demands.

The Thiruvananthapuram Metro Project, with its estimated budget of ₹11,560.8 crore, represents a transformative initiative aimed at modernizing the city's transportation infrastructure. As discussions progress and plans materialize, the metro rail system promises to alleviate traffic congestion, enhance connectivity, and foster sustainable urban development in the capital city of Kerala.