Kerala CM’s criticism over Kochi Metro renaming puts Behera in a spot

KOCHI: Chief Minister V D Satheesan's open criticism of Kochi Metro Rail Corporation (KMRL) managing director Loknath Behera over the proposed renaming of Kochi Metro as Keralam Metro has put the spotlight on the latter's continuation in the post, with his current.

Key points

• Total operating revenue rose from Rs 49.25 crore in 2017-18 to Rs 266 crore in 2025-26 and ridership rose from 3, 52, 113 to 1, 01, 413 during the period.
• It was during Behera's tenure that the integration of Kochi Metro with Water Metro gained attention.
• He cited precedents in Gujarat, Uttar Pradesh and Maharashtra and remarked the proposal was considered while preparing the detailed project report (DPR) for the proposed Thiruvananthapuram metro.
• Ernakulam MP Hibi Eden had additionally written to the chief minister opposing the proposal and demanded that the existing name be retained.
• Satheesan and Congress leaders had questioned KMRL's authority to matter a release on the proposed name change without consulting the administration.

Satheesan and Congress leaders had questioned KMRL's authority to matter a release on the proposed name change without consulting the administration. The controversy has continued to speculation over whether Behera. This person is at present serving his second term, will be given another extension.

Ernakulam MP Hibi Eden had additionally written to the chief minister opposing the proposal and demanded that the existing name be retained. He termed the move "strange and unacceptable" and remarked KMRL's expertise could be employed for planning and executing urban transport projects throughout the state without altering the company's name.

"If separate names linked to specific locations are sought in the future, they could be considered then, " Hibi remarked.

Behera clarified that the name change was only a proposal and that the decision to accept or reject it rested with the state administration. He remarked the proposal was produced in light of the metro policy requiring a common name when multiple metro projects come up in the same state. He cited precedents in Gujarat, Uttar Pradesh and Maharashtra and remarked the proposal was considered while preparing the detailed project report (DPR) for the proposed Thiruvananthapuram metro. The proposal has now been dropped.

"It is a mutual decision and if the government is not interested, that will not be pursued and the proposal has been dropped, " Behera informed TNIE.

He remarked his continuation would not depend on the controversy. Nevertheless, no official communication has yet been produced to him on whether he will continue or be replaced.

Sources close to Behera remarked a decision on the continuation of an MD is usually produced beforehand and that the delay is unusual. They remarked neither an extension nor an arrangement to provide him temporary charge until the September-October transfer period has been communicated.

KMRL is a 50: 50 joint venture between the Centre and the state administration, and Behera is considered to have an advantage in terms of his equation with the Prime Minister's Office (PMO). This is seen as a factor that could assume significance in the decision on his continuation as MD. Behera was appointed KMRL MD in August 2021 for three years and was afterwards given a two-year extension by the LDF administration. He succeeded Alkesh Kumar Sharma. This person served in the post from September 2019 to August 2021.

Notably, the uncertainty comes as KMRL has documented an improvement in its financial and operational performance during Behera's tenure. While it recorded an operating profit of Rs 52.64 crore, its fourth consecutive year of operating profit, its net loss fell from Rs 430.50 crore in 2024-25 to Rs 352.49 crore in 2025-26.

Total operating revenue rose from Rs 49.25 crore in 2017-18 to Rs 266 crore in 2025-26 and ridership rose from 3, 52, 113 to 1, 01, 413 during the period. As much as Rs 76.33 crore (34%) of the operating revenue in 2025-26 came from non-fare sources such as station commercialisation, advertising, and property development.

"It was during Behera's tenure that the integration of Kochi Metro with Water Metro gained attention. Measures including accessibility for persons with disabilities, senior citizen facilities, women's safety initiatives and integration with feeder buses and Water Metro have additionally backed ridership, " a source noted.

KMRL managing director Loknath Behera clarified that the name change (renaming of Kochi Metro as Keralam Metro) was only a proposal created in light of the metro policy requiring a common name when multiple metro projects come up in the same state.

For now, kerala CM's criticism over Kochi Metro renaming puts Behera in a spot remains the part of the story worth watching, and further updates are likely as more details are confirmed.