First phase alignment of Thiruvananthapuram metro rail approved

Giving a shot in the arm to the dream of revolutionising urban mobility and fuelling sustainable economic growth in the capital, the State government on Friday approved the first phase alignment of the Thiruvananthapuram metro rail project. 

The first phase alignment connecting three phases of Technopark,Thiruvananthapuram International Airport, Thampanoor bus stand, Central railway station, Secretariat, and Medical College was approved after a secretary-level meeting.

The most ideal and feasible alignment of Phase-I of the Thiruvananthapuram metro rail project, to be implemented by the Kochi Metro Rail Limited (KMRL), will be from Pappanamcode to Eenchakkal. The corridor for Phase-I of the project includes the following stations: Pappanamcode, Kaimanam, Karamana, Killipalam Junction, Thampanoor, Secretariat, Palayam, Plamoodu, Pattom, Murinjapalam, Medical College, Ulloor, Pongumoodu, Sreekaryam, Pangappara, Gurumandiram, Karyavattom, Technopark Phase-I (interchange station), Technopark Phase-III, Kulathoor, Technopark Phase-II, Akkulam Lake, Kochuveli, Venpalavattom, Chakka, airport, before ending at Eenchakkal (terminal Station).

The Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA) had earlier directed the State to ensure the integration of the project with existing airports at the detailed project report (DPR) stage to ensure seamless integration of metro and airport.

Metro Rail Policy

The Metro Rail Policy 2017 also emphasises the need for connectivity to major transport hubs including railway stations and airports. After a series of meetings in the past few years, the KMRL presented a revised proposal from Pappanamcode to Eenchakkal, covering 31 kms with 27 stations, in the last secretary-level committee meeting held on November 4. It also explained the technical feasibility of extending Corridor-I up to Technopark Phase-II.

The committee that examined the proposal found that the revised alignment from Pappanamcode to Eenchakkal adheres to the Central directive by effectively covering the Thiruvananthapuram North railway station and the airport. This also ensures seamless connectivity between key urban modes by integrating the corridors proposed in the Comprehensive Mobility Plan (CMP).  The State government then accorded the in-principle approval for the alignment after a detailed scrutiny. The Managing Director, KMRL, will now take steps to prepare and submit the DPR of the project in accordance with the Metro Rail Policy 2017 and guidelines of the Union government.

As part of the metro project, the KMRL was entrusted with the construction of the Sreekaryam, Ulloor, and Pattom flyovers. The construction of the Sreekaryam flyover is progressing rapidly.  The project is expected to accelerate the future development of rapidly growing Thiruvananthapuram city.