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Thiruvananthapuram, Nov 7 (IANS) Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Friday took to his social media account to announce the alignment for the first phase of the Thiruvananthapuram Metro Rail project, calling it a historic step towards reshaping the state capital for the future.
“Thiruvananthapuram Metro will redefine urban mobility and accelerate the growth of the capital,” Vijayan said in a statement announcing the approval.
Incidentally, this development comes at a time when only a few days are left for the announcement of local body elections and when a tight triangular fight is set to take place where the CPI-M-led LDF government, which rules the crucial Thiruvananthapuram Corporation, is in power.
The proposed extension of the Metro Rail passes through Thiruvananthapuram Corporation.
The 31 km corridor with 27 stations will connect major information technology hubs, major transport terminals and important administrative and health care centers across the city.
The metro line will start from Pappanamcode and pass through Kilippalam, Palayam, Srikarayam, Kazhakuttam, Technopark, Kochuveli and the airport before terminating at Inchakkal.
The project will be implemented by Kochi Metro Rail Limited (KMRL), which is already handling the initial infrastructure works in the capital.
Srikaryam, Ulloor and Pattam flyovers were earlier handed over to KMRL as part of preparatory works, construction of Srikaryam flyover is going on at a fast pace.
According to the Chief Minister, the Metro network is expected to prove to be a game-changer in the development of the city, improving connectivity and promoting sustainable urban mobility as well as reducing congestion.
The proposed interchange stations at Kazhakootam, Technopark and Kariyavattom will increase connectivity between major residential and commercial areas.
Thiruvananthapuram Metro, once completed, will connect the three phases of the Technopark, the international airport, Thampanoor bus stand, railway station, secretariat and medical college – integrating the administrative, business and transport hubs of the city.
Incidentally, this announcement comes at a time when a similar mode of transport was announced more than a decade ago when the then Chief Minister Oommen Chandy had approved it after several rounds of talks with ‘Metroman’ E. Sreedharan, but it could not take off due to various reasons.
–IANS
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