KMRL seeks name change to Keralam Metro Rail Limited

KOCHI: Kochi Metro Rail Ltd (KMRL) has submitted a recommendation to the administration to rename the business Keralam Metro Rail Ltd.

Key points

• Phase II (JLN Stadium to Infopark via Kakkanad): An ongoing 10.58-km elevated corridor with 10 stations; targeted for commercial commissioning by August 2027.
• KMRL's proposal follows the national model of reorganising Nagpur Metro as 'Maharashtra Metro', Lucknow Metro as 'Uttar Pradesh Metro' and Ahmedabad Metro as 'Gujarat Metro'.
• Phase I and extensions: Fully operational, including the final extension to Tripunithura, inaugurated in March 2024.
• Apart from this, KMRL is additionally undertaking and implementing Kochi Water Metro and Electric Mobility projects.
• The final name change will be implemented subject to the approvals of the board of directors, shareholders, the Union Ministry of Corporate Affairs and the Central Administration.

Notably, the move is aimed at enabling the firm to plan and implement urban transport projects throughout the state, beyond its metro operations.

KMRL has completed the first phase from Aluva to Tripunithura and is operating at a profit. The second phase from JLN Stadium to Smart City will be completed in a year, remarked Behera.

Apart from this, KMRL is additionally undertaking and implementing Kochi Water Metro and Electric Mobility projects. KMRL is additionally responsible for the Thiruvananthapuram and Kozhikode metro projects.

Meanwhile, the new name, Keralam Metro Rail, was proposed as the city-centric name is not suitable for the company's current and future wide range of operations.

KMRL's proposal follows the national model of reorganising Nagpur Metro as 'Maharashtra Metro', Lucknow Metro as 'Uttar Pradesh Metro' and Ahmedabad Metro as 'Gujarat Metro'. The proposed name change will first require the government's approval.

Meanwhile, the final name change will be implemented subject to the approvals of the board of directors, shareholders, the Union Ministry of Corporate Affairs and the Central Administration.

Meanwhile, the name change will not affect the current assets, liabilities, contracts, employees, and legal existence of KMRL.

Kochi Water Metro: An integrated water transport system linking islands and urban areas around Kochi using eco-friendly hybrid boats.

Non-Motorised Transport (NMT): Urban renewal initiatives adding footpaths, cycle tracks, and last-mile bicycle sharing near metro stations.

Feeder taxis and buses: KMRL has began feeder buses/taxis/autorickshaws, preferably electric or CNG, at some metro stations to operate an environment-friendly transportation system for the city. KMRL has additionally planned a Public Bike Sharing (PBS) scheme as a pilot project with 4 docking stations having 7 cycles each.

Taken together, the developments around KMRL seeks name change to Keralam Metro Rail Limited point to a situation that is still moving, and the coming days should bring more clarity.