"Thiruvananthapuram Metro hit by policy roadblock: KMRL waits for clarity on population norms before submitting DPR."

The submission of the revised detailed project report (DPR) for the ambitious Thiruvananthapuram Metro Rail project has run into a fresh roadblock, with the implementing agency stating that it cannot move forward without clarity on national population norms required for metro approval.

Kochi Metro Rail Ltd (KMRL), the nodal agency for the project, said the revised DPR—being prepared by Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC)—will be submitted to the state government only after receiving definitive guidance on population criteria mandated under the National Metro Rail Policy, 2017.

The proposed metro project, envisioned as a major boost to urban mobility in the state capital, has been in the planning stage for several years. The alignment approved by the state government stretches from Pappanamcode to Enchakkal, covering key urban hubs such as Medical College, Kazhakkoottam and Akkulam. The roughly 31-km corridor is planned to have 27 stations, connecting major destinations including Technopark, Thiruvananthapuram International Airport, Thampanoor bus stand, the railway station and the Secretariat.

KMRL managing director Loknath Behera told TOI that procedural compliance is critical at this stage. “Before we formally submit the DPR, we must be absolutely clear about the population requirement so that the proposal meets all central norms,” he said.

Under the 2017 policy, conventional metro projects are generally expected to serve an urban population of around 20 lakh to qualify for central approval. Behera acknowledged that an earlier proposed alignment from Neyyattinkara to Attingal met the population criteria more comfortably than the current corridor, though he did not disclose specific figures.

Concerns over eligibility have grown following recent decisions by the Union government. In November 2025, the Centre returned DPRs for the Coimbatore and Madurai Metro projects, citing non-compliance with population and ridership norms. Both cities fell short of the prescribed population threshold based on the 2011 Census, leading the Centre to recommend alternative mass transit systems such as the Bus Rapid Transit System (BRTS).

According to available demographic data, Thiruvananthapuram city’s population also remains below the typical metro benchmark. The 2011 Census placed the urban population at about 16.8 lakh, while more recent estimates suggest the core city has just over 10.5 lakh residents. However, the wider metropolitan region is projected to have a population exceeding 23 lakh, adding complexity to the assessment.

Urban planners and transport analysts have argued that excluding the broader metropolitan area from DPR calculations could weaken the project’s case, noting that commuter demand extends well beyond municipal boundaries.

Despite the uncertainty, the state government remains optimistic. The chief minister has already approved the Phase I alignment, and preparatory works, including flyover construction at Sreekaryam, Ulloor and Pattom, are currently under way.