CM Expresses Surprise Over Move To Rename Kochi Metro, Says Matter Not Under Government’s Consideration

 THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Kerala Chief Minister V D Satheesan on Friday expressed surprise over the idea of renaming “Kochi Metro” to “Keralam Metro,” leading Kochi Metro Rail Ltd (KMRL) to put the proposal on hold.

Speaking in North Paravur, Satheesan said the government had received no such proposal and the matter was never discussed. He questioned who initiated the change, noting it seemed to have been brought up unilaterally without consulting the government. Satheesan added that he only learned of it through media reports and stressed that such proposals require government consideration, not just discussions within the corporation.

With the Chief Minister firmly opposing the idea, the proposal has been put on hold. KMRL managing director Loknath Behera, who suggested the name change and shared the update in a press statement on Thursday, said the agency would not push forward against the government’s wishes. “It was just a proposal, and it’s for the government to decide. We sent it officially; if they reject it, that’s fine. It’s their call, and we won’t insist. If they don’t want the change, the current name can stay. We have no problem with that, and there are no legal hurdles,” he said. On Thursday, KMRL had told the media it had recommended renaming Kochi Metro to Keralam Metro.

KMRL Managing Director Loknath Behera sought in-principle approval for a new name, as suggested by metro rail authorities, to reflect the company’s growing role in urban transport projects across Kerala. The company is actively planning and executing such projects statewide, while also managing water transport and electric mobility initiatives. KMRL is involved in the Kochi Water Metro and electric mobility ventures, and has been tasked with proposed metro projects in Thiruvananthapuram and Kozhikode.