Thiruvananthapuram Metro: Shashi Tharoor Seeks Underground Corridor, Wider Public Consultation

The proposed Thiruvananthapuram Metro project has entered a crucial stage as discussions over its final alignment continue. While Kochi Metro Rail Ltd (KMRL) is completing the technical review of the Detailed Project Report (DPR), Member of Parliament Shashi Tharoor has appealed to the Kerala government to examine the feasibility of constructing underground sections through the city’s busiest corridors.

In a letter addressed to Chief Minister V. D. Satheesan, Tharoor highlighted that underground stretches could significantly reduce traffic disruptions, minimise land acquisition and help preserve the urban landscape in densely populated parts of the state capital. He also stressed the importance of holding wider public consultations before the government takes a final decision on the metro alignment.

According to officials, the DPR prepared by Delhi Metro Rail Corporation proposes a fully elevated 31-kilometre metro corridor connecting key destinations across Thiruvananthapuram. The report is currently undergoing technical evaluation by KMRL before being submitted to the Kerala government for approval.

The proposal for an entirely elevated corridor has generated debate among urban planners, residents and transport experts. Several stakeholders believe underground construction would be more suitable in highly congested locations such as Karamana, Ulloor, Kazhakkoottam and Akkulam, where surface-level infrastructure is already under significant pressure.

Tharoor also suggested that the metro network should be planned with future expansion in mind. He recommended extending connectivity to Technocity, Vizhinjam International Seaport and the eastern parts of Thiruvananthapuram over the next five to eight years. He further emphasised the need for an integrated last-mile connectivity plan to maximise public transport usage.

The Thiruvananthapuram Metro is expected to become one of Kerala’s most significant urban infrastructure projects, improving connectivity between residential neighbourhoods, business districts, educational institutions, healthcare facilities and the airport. The final alignment approved by the government will play a key role in determining the project’s long-term impact on mobility, urban development and sustainable growth in the capital city. With the DPR nearing submission, the government’s decision is expected to shape the future of public transport in Thiruvananthapuram for decades.