THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Many years have passed since the study was started on whether a monorail or light metro is the best project for the capital city. Ending the wait, KMRL is hopeful that the metro rail in Thiruvananthapuram city will start construction soon. It has finally been found that similar to the Kochi Metro, the Medium Metro will be suitable for Thiruvananthapuram. It is also planned to submit the DPR regarding the project this month itself.

The Comprehensive Mobility Plan (CMP) assesses that a medium metro, not a light metro, is suitable for the fast-growing city of Thiruvananthapuram. The plan is to start the construction of the metro in two corridors. One reach from Pallipuram Technocity to Nemom via Pallichal covering a distance of 27.4 km. The second reach is to Karamana Killipalam via Eanchakkal from Kazhakuttam. This reach will cover 14.7 km. The second reach will pass through the front of Lulumall and the airport.

Delhi Metro Rail Corporation is acting as the DPR consultant. KMRL Managing Director Loknath Behra informed that DMRC has submitted the draft of the final alignment for DPR. The Eanchakkal to Killipalam reach of the proposed metro also includes an underground metro line. 37 stations are envisaged in the scheme. The maintenance yard will be at Pallipuram.

DMRC assessments are in progress regarding the land to be acquired for metro stations and curved areas. The necessary study for this is being done in collaboration with the National Highway Authority of India. Sharp curves need to be straightened to suit the medium metro. KMRL aims to submit the final DPR of the project to the state government this month itself.

Central approval before Lok Sabha elections?

The state government is trying to seek the approval of the central government immediately after receiving the DPR regarding the project. The government is trying to get central approval before the code of conduct for Lok Sabha elections comes into force. The state government aims to make the Thiruvananthapuram metro a reality as the K Rail project may not be happening. The government has given instructions to submit the DPR flawlessly.

Even though BJP does not agree with the K Rail project, they are in favour of the Thiruvananthapuram Metro project. The BJP leadership also reckons that if the Metro is allowed to the Thiruvananthapuram constituency, where they are expecting to win in the Lok Sabha elections, it will be an electoral gain. The BJP is of the position that they agree with the plan in principle, but before that, the final DPR should come.