The state sanctioned a monorail in 2012, signed with DMRC in 2013, and ran two failed tender rounds before scrapping the plan in August 2014 for a "light metro" instead. As of the 2025-26 state budget, construction of any replacement had still not begun.
On record
The official record states: "Government cited "cost overruns" in the monorail tenders and switched to metro for "easy raising of capacity" and DMRC's expertise."
Filed as "Abandoned (replaced by a still-unbuilt metro/LRTS plan)" and dated to Proposed 2012; abandoned August 2014, this entry sits under the "Estimated ₹2,702.56 crore; ₹20 crore already spent on DPR before being dropped" line of the public accounts.
What to expect
- A ribbon-cutting photograph that aged faster than the structure.
- Maintenance records that exist in principle.
- A budget line that grew with the confidence of the project itself.
- A file number that outlived several transfer postings.
Sourcing
2 public sources — news reports, RTI replies and civic archives — corroborate this entry. The citation trail is listed below for anyone who would like to follow up with the department concerned.
“The foundation stone weighs more than the finished structure ever will.”— Blunderlust Editorial Desk
Sources
- https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/kerala/monorail-scrapped-lrts-mooted/article6361025.ece
- http://www.business-standard.com/article/news-ians/kerala-drops-monorail-projects-opts-for-light-metro-114082801021_1.html
Visitor reviews
“Rode out on a rented scooter to see what the fuss was about. It has a foundation stone, a file number and a small devoted following.”
“Came for the Kerala tourism angle and left with the civic one. You could set a watch by how little changes.”
“Went straight here after landing, jet lag and all. The consultant's report reportedly recommended another consultant.”