The new Thiruvananthapuram Metro is based on the Comprehensive Mobility Plan (CMP) for the city, which projected a high traffic volume in the future.
According to the plan, the proposed Thiruvananthapuram Metro will have two corridors covering 42.1 km, connecting significant parts of the city.
The Kochi Metro Rail Ltd (KMRL) submitted a DPR to the state government, marking a significant milestone in the development of this project.
DMRC principal advisor E. Sreedharan submitted the DPR to Chief Minister Oommen Chandy on 11 December 2012.
[17][18] Bombardier Transportation, Hitachi, Afcons, Scomi, and Larsen and Toubro expressed interest in the second round of tender submissions.
[18] Bidding on the Kozhikode and Thiruvananthapuram projects was delayed by the model code of conduct coming into effect prior to the 2014 Lok Sabha elections.
[19] On 28 August 2014, the State Government decided to use Metro, instead of Monorail, in Thiruvananthapuram and Kozhikode, mainly due to cost overruns.
Though slightly costlier, Metro has several advantages, such as easy raising of capacity, DMRC's expertise in the field and more companies who can bid for the project.
[3] The Thiruvananthapuram line will start from Technocity and terminate at Pallichal covering a distance of 27.4 km with 24 stations, along the old NH 47.
The total length of train will be approximately 54 m.[30] The Thiruvananthapuram Corporation faced huge challenges for elevated Viaduct in the city.
In July 2019 Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan addressed that the route will not bound the NH 66 (Kovalam Bypass); instead, it will enter the Thampanoor through Sreekariyam, Kesavadasapuram and Pattom, one of Thiruvananthapuram's busiest suburbs.
[7] Representatives of Hyundai Rotem proposed in 2012 to use Maglev technology for setting up a mass rapid transport system in the city.
Thirty-five stations are proposed and the track will pass through Vellayambalam, Palayam, Statue, Overbridge, East Fort and Thampanoor.