Kochi Metro may be renamed Kerala Metro; KMRL submits proposal to state government

KOCHI: Kochi Metro Rail Limited (KMRL) has recommended to the Kerala government that the company be renamed Kerala Metro Rail Limited. KMRL Managing Director Loknath Behera has submitted the proposal to the state government, seeking in-principle approval for the name change.

The move is aimed at reflecting the company's expanding role beyond Kochi and its wider responsibility for planning and implementing urban transport projects across Kerala.

The company has successfully completed the first phase of the Kochi Metro from Aluva to Tripunithura and is now operating at a profit. The second phase, from Kaloor JLN Stadium to SmartCity, is expected to be completed within a year. Apart from this, KMRL is also implementing projects such as the Kochi Water Metro and electric mobility initiatives. It has also been entrusted with the responsibility of the proposed metro projects in Thiruvananthapuram and Kozhikode.

Loknath Behera said that the existing city-centric name is no longer suitable for the company's expanding present and future areas of operation across the state. This is why the new name, Kerala Metro Rail Limited, has been proposed.

Following examples from other states

KMRL's proposal follows a similar model adopted in other states. Nagpur Metro was renamed Maharashtra Metro, Lucknow Metro became Uttar Pradesh Metro, and Ahmedabad Metro was renamed Gujarat Metro.

The proposal will first require approval from the Kerala government. If approved, further procedures will be initiated. The final name change will be subject to approvals from the Board of Directors, shareholders, the Union Ministry of Corporate Affairs and the Central government.

The Managing Director also clarified that the proposed name change would not affect KMRL's existing assets, liabilities, contracts, employees or legal status. The cost of rebranding and other related changes will be met from the company's own budget.