No plan to rename Kochi Metro Rail Ltd as Keralam Metro Rail Ltd, says CM V.D. Satheesan
Chief Minister V.D. Satheesan has clarified that the Kerala government has no plans to rename Kochi Metro Rail Ltd to 'Keralam Metro Rail Limited'. The proposal, which was made without government consultation, has faced significant pushback from local politicians citing historical and cultural concerns.
Why it matters
The incident illustrates the political sensitivity surrounding regional identity and the governance of state-run infrastructure projects.
Chief Minister V.D. Satheesan on Friday (August 21, 2026) said the government has no plans to rename Kochi Metro Rail Ltd as ‘Keralam Metro Rail Limited’.
“The name change proposal was done unilaterally without holding consultations with the government. There have been no such discussions and the government has no plans to change the name,” he told mediapersons on the sidelines of the foundation stone-laying ceremony for five houses being built under his ‘Punarjani’ scheme in North Paravur.
He said KMRL authorities had issued a press release on the name change proposal without consulting with the government. “We need not even respond to it as it was done without informing the government, he said.
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