Archive · 21 Aug 2026
Kochi Metro Renaming Proposal Put On Hold After CM Objection
Kochi Metro’s operator suggested changing the metro’s name to Keralam Metro.
The operator, Kochi Metro Rail Limited, said the new name would better represent its work across Kerala.
Its managing director, Loknath Behera, sent the suggestion to the state government.
Kerala Chief Minister V D Satheesan said he was surprised because the government had not discussed the idea.
He also said he learned about it from news reports.
Because of this objection, the renaming plan has been put on hold.
KMRL said the government can decide whether the name should change.
The company also works on water transport, electric mobility, and planned metro projects in other Kerala cities.
Kochi Metro Rail Limited recommended renaming Kochi Metro as Keralam Metro.
Managing Director Loknath Behera sought in-principle approval from the Kerala government.
Chief Minister V D Satheesan said the government had received no such proposal and had not discussed the matter.
Following the Chief Minister’s objection, KMRL put the renaming proposal on hold.
KMRL said its expanding statewide role includes water transport, electric mobility, and proposed metro projects in Thiruvananthapuram and Kozhikode.
- Who
- Kochi Metro Rail Limited, led by Managing Director Loknath Behera, proposed the renaming; Chief Minister V D Satheesan objected to the move.
- What
- KMRL proposed changing the name of Kochi Metro to Keralam Metro, but the proposal has been put on hold.
- When
- The proposal was reported on Thursday, and the Chief Minister expressed surprise on Friday; exact dates were not provided.
- Where
- The proposal concerns Kochi Metro and Kerala’s wider urban transport network; the Chief Minister spoke in North Paravur.
- Why
- KMRL said the proposed name would reflect its expanding role in urban transport projects across Kerala.
KMRL’s Rationale
Government’s Objection
Reason for the name change
KMRL’s Rationale
KMRL said Keralam Metro would reflect its expanding role in urban transport projects across Kerala, including water transport and electric mobility.
Government’s Objection
Chief Minister V D Satheesan questioned the move because, according to him, the government had received no proposal and had never discussed the matter.
Whether the change should proceed
KMRL’s Rationale
KMRL submitted the recommendation for in-principle government approval but said it would not insist on the change if the government rejected it.
Government’s Objection
The Chief Minister indicated that such a proposal requires government consideration and objected to what appeared to be a unilateral initiative.
- Current name
- Kochi Metro
- Proposed name
- Keralam Metro
- Proposing organization
- Kochi Metro Rail Limited (KMRL)
- Proposal status
- Put on hold after the Chief Minister objected and said the government had not considered it.
- Managing director
- Loknath Behera
- Related initiatives
- Kochi Water Metro and electric mobility projects
- Other proposed metro projects
- Thiruvananthapuram and Kozhikode
