Thiruvananthapuram, Kozhikode Metro projects face uncertainty as Centre tightens population criterion

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The proposed metro rail projects in Thiruvananthapuram and Kozhikode have come under uncertainty after the Centre decided to strictly enforce the population criterion for approving metro projects. Under the revised norm, metro projects will be approved only for cities with a population of at least 20 lakh. Thiruvananthapuram has a population of 16.79 lakh, while Kozhikode has around 6 lakh.

Concerns grew after the Centre rejected metro proposals for Coimbatore and Madurai. Both cities have a population of around 15 lakh. However, there is still hope for Thiruvananthapuram as the Centre has approved metro projects for state capitals with populations below 20 lakh in the past. Patna, the capital of Bihar, has a population of 17 lakh, while Bhopal, the capital of Madhya Pradesh, has 18.8 lakh. Both cities have been sanctioned metro projects. Since the Thiruvananthapuram Corporation is ruled by the BJP, officials believe the capital city could receive similar consideration.

The Detailed Project Reports (DPRs) for the Thiruvananthapuram and Kozhikode metro projects have already been prepared by Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC). The current DPR for Thiruvananthapuram covers an area of 371.94 sq km along the proposed metro corridor. The population within this area is estimated at 13.5 lakh. Authorities are now considering revising the DPR by including the latest Census data and expanding the coverage to 500 to 900 sq km around the city to cross the 20-lakh population requirement. Thiruvananthapuram district has a population of around 33 lakh. The city also has a high population density. Nearly one lakh people work in around 490 IT and allied companies at Technopark. Major projects such as Technocity and Taurus Downtown are also expected to increase future demand for public transport. The proposed metro corridor in Thiruvananthapuram runs from Pappanamcode to Enchakkal. It can also be extended to Neyyattinkara and Attingal in the future.

The proposed Kozhikode Metro will run on the Meenchantha-Medical College route. The 14.2-km corridor will connect the railway station, bus station and the Government Medical College.

Centre suggests Bus Rapid Transit System

1. Instead of metro rail, the Centre has suggested the Bus Rapid Transit System (BRTS) for smaller cities. BRTS buses operate on dedicated lanes in the middle of roads, allowing faster travel by avoiding traffic congestion.
2. The system has metro-like stations and air-conditioned buses that are easily accessible for senior citizens and persons with disabilities. The project costs only about 20% of a metro rail system and can be completed within two years. BRTS is already operational in cities such as Pune, Surat and Indore.

Metro project funding

Cost of constructing one km of metro: Around Rs 250 crore
Centre and state governments' share: 40%
Foreign loans: 60%

Average daily metro ridership

City..............Daily passengers
Delhi............65 lakh
Bengaluru....10 lakh
Kolkata.........9.8 lakh
Chennai.......3.3 lakh