Kerala government rules out renaming Kochi Metro after KMRL proposal

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Kerala Chief Minister V D Satheesan on Friday ruled out changing the name of Kochi Metro Rail Limited (KMRL), saying the agency had proposed a new statewide identity without consulting the government.

KMRL Managing Director Loknath Behera had submitted a proposal seeking in-principle approval to rename the company Kerala Metro Rail Limited, arguing that its expanding role in urban transport projects beyond Kochi warranted a broader identity.

Satheesan, however, said the government was not considering the change and made clear that Kochi Metro would retain its existing name.

The proposal had drawn opposition from elected representatives and political leaders, who questioned the need to drop Kochi from the organisation’s name as its responsibilities expand across Kerala.

Kochi MP Hibi Eden had also written to Satheesan opposing the move. In his letter, Eden said KMRL could be given responsibility for planning and implementing urban transport projects elsewhere in Kerala without changing the company’s name.

He also questioned the manner in which approval for the proposed change had been sought.

Behera had argued that renaming the organisation Kerala Metro Rail Limited would better reflect KMRL’s evolving mandate, which could include planning and implementing urban transport projects across the state in addition to operating the Kochi Metro.