EIACP PC Hub: Kerala
State of Environment and Related Issues

               A recent survey to identify street dwellers in all 93 Urban Local Bodies (ULBs) of 14 districts of Kerala, by Kudumbashree Community Development Societies (CDS) has found that there were 3,195 homeless people in the State, out of which 1,397 are migrants. Of all the homeless people, 2,625 are men, 564 are women and 6 are transgender persons. The highest number of street dwellers in the State were reported in Ernakulam District (510) and second highest in Kozhikode (419). The lowest number was from Idukki (39) and the second lowest from Pathanamthitta (59).

Transport Infrastructure:

                  Major transport infrastructure of the Stateconsists of 2.73 lakh km of road, 1588 km ofrailways, 1687 km of inland waterways and18 ports with 585 km coastal route and4airports. Roads play a prominent role in public transportation visa-vis-other modes of transportation owing to the geographicpeculiarities of Kerala with a comparatively lesserrural urban divide and limited geographicalarea of 38,863 Sq. km. Kerala has a total fleet of25,186 buses; of which 19,496 are private buses(77.4 per cent) and 5690 buses belonging toKerala State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC)comprising 22.6 per cent of the total fleet. Privatebuses dominate transport in all districts of Keralaexcept Thiruvananthapuram. The State has a railnetwork of 1,257 km route length with a totaltrack length of 1,588 km, operating under thecontrol of Palakkad and ThiruvananthapuramRailway Divisions. In Kerala, there are manywater bodies like rivers, lakes, estuaries,backwaters etc. providing adequate scope forInland Water Transport (IWT) system having alength of 1,895 km to connect the rivers from oneto another. Transportation by IWT is consideredas the most efficient economic and environmentfriendly means of transportation. Transportationby coastal shipping is the mode for most bulkcommodities and long hauling traffic. Kerala has the advantage of a 585 km coast line throughwhich bulk cargos can be transported using multi–modal transhipment points along the coastline.

                       Kerala has one major port at Kochi, 17 minorports and an upcoming international shipping terminal at Vizhinjam. Out of the 17 minor portsin Kerala, four are considered intermediate portsviz., Vizhinjam, Beypore, Azhikkal and Kollambased on berthing, cargo handling and storagefacilities available in them. Kerala has fourinternational airports viz., Thiruvananthapuram, Kochi, Kozhikode and Kannur.All civilian airports functioning in the State are international airports,a feature unique to Kerala. Kerala joined TamilNadu as the State with the maximum number ofinternational airports on completion of Kannurinternational airport. Realising the advantagesof mass transport system in meeting the Intracity commuter needs of major cities, GoK has embarked on Metro Rail Project for Kochi. Withthe commissioning of Mass Rapid Transit System(MRTS), major urban corridors are expected to bedecongested in these cities.

Road Network in Kerala

          The roads in Kerala are maintained by National Highways / Public Works Department (R&B), Local Bodies, Department of Irrigation, KSEB, Department of Forests, Railways etc. Other agencies dealing with transport sector are National Transportation Planning and Research Centre (NATPAC), Motor Vehicles Department, Kerala State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC), Kerala Transport Development Finance Corporation (KTDFC) and Roads & Bridges Development Corporation of Kerala (RBDCK).  [CLICK HERE ] for more Details

Motor Vehicle Department

            Motor Vehicles Department is one of the major revenue earning departments of the Kerala State. Towards the administration and enforcement of Motor Vehicle Laws, collection of tax on Motor Vehicles under various categories, registration of vehicles, licensing of drivers and regulation of use of motor vehicles in the State in accordance with the powers conferred on the Department, it has made remarkable achievements.

            The number of motor vehicles having valid registration as on 31-3-2012 is 6865539. The District wise and category wise details of motor vehicles having valid registration as on 31-3-2012 is given in Appendix 5.7. The number of newly registered vehicles for the year 2011- 12 is 821295. The details are given in Appendix 5.8.

            In Kerala Kottayam has the lowest registered vehicles followed by Wayanad in the year 2011-12. The highest vehicle population registered in 2011-12 is in Kasargod district followed by Alappuzha and Idukki. District wise growth of motor vehicles in Kerala from 2007-08 to 2011-12 is given in Appendix 5.9. The growth in the vehicle population of the State for the last 4 years is given here.                                            

           Accoridng to the reports 2013, the number of motor vehicles having valid registration as on 31.03.2014 is 85,47,966 as against 80,48,673 in the previous year. The newly registered vehicles comes to 9,22,432 during 2013-14. In the case of personal vehicles a faster growth rate has been recorded over the previous year. The percentage of category wise motor vehicles registered during 2013-14 is given here.

                    The district wise details of vehicles newly registered, vehicles with valid registration and growth of vehicles in Kerala are given in Appendix 5.7 and Appendix 5.8. An analysis of growth of Motor vehicles and its impact on local development in the State during the last nine years reveals that vehicle population has increased from 31,22,082 in 2005 to 85,47,966 in 2014, (173.8%) while marginal increase has been achieved in the augmentation of road length. 

                        About 2527 vehicles are newly added to vehicle population every day. Of this 1688 are two wheelers. The details of category wise growth of motor vehicles in Kerala since 2008 are given in here. The highest vehicle population was recorded in the Ernakulam district with 14,67,028 vehicles (17.16 %) followed by Thiruvananthapuram with 10,66,318 (12.48%). Wayanad district has the lowest number of 1,17,466 (1.37 %) vehicles.

                                  Based on the 2015 reports, the number of motor vehicles having valid registrations as on 31.03.2015 is 94, 21,245 as against 85, and 47,966 in the previous year. The details are here. The number of newly registered vehicles is 8, 73,279 during 2014 -15 of which details are given here. In the case of personal vehicles, a faster growth rate has been recorded over the previous year. The district wise growth of vehicle numbers in Kerala is given here. The distribution of category wise motor vehicles registered during 2014-15 is given here.  

About 2393 vehicles are newly added to vehicle population every day. Of this 1715 are two wheelers. The highest vehicle population was recorded in Ernakulum district with 16, 17,972 vehicles (17.2%) followed by Thiruvananthapuram with 11, 75,647 (12.5%). Wayanad district has the lowest number of 1, 29,092 (1.37 %) vehicles. Category wise growth of motor vehicles in Kerala since 2010 to 2015 is given here.

                  Kerala has 101.71 lakh registered motor vehicles as on March 2016. For the last 2 decades it has experienced annual growth rate of above 10 percent. The number of vehicles per 1000 population for Kerala in March 2016 is 305. According to World Development Indicators, number of vehicles per 1000 population in India is 18, China 47 and United States 507. The growth of vehicle population in Kerala is eight per cent over the previous year. The growth of Motor Vehicles during last nine years is shown here.

                    The number of motor vehicles having valid registrations as on March 31, 2016 is 10,171,813 as against 94, 21,245 in the previous year. The number of motor vehicles having valid registrations as on March 31, 2016 is 10,171,813 as against 94, 21,245 in the previous year. The details are in given in here. The number of newly registered vehicles is 861,323 during 2015 -16 and the details are shown. In the case of personal vehicles, a faster growth rate has been recorded over the previous year. District wise growth of vehicle numbers in Kerala is given in here. Data on number of vehicles on road needs to be developed by linking Insurance Companies and a concerted effort by Motor Vehicles Department in this regard needs to be developed. The per centage of category wise motor vehicles registered during 2015-16 is shown here.

                  About 2360 vehicles are added to vehicle population every day. Of this 1657 are two wheelers. The highest vehicle population was recorded in Ernakulum district with 15, 59,270 vehicles (15.37 percent) followed by Thiruvananthapuram with 12, 90,592 (12.69 percent). Wayanad district has the lowest number of 1, 39,151 (1.37 percent) vehicles. Category wise growth of Motor Vehicles in Kerala since 2010 to 2016 is shown in here. The mismatch between growth in motor vehicles and the capacity augmentation of road has resulted in increasing traffic congestion and road accidents in Kerala.

                  Kerala has 110.3 lakh registered motor vehicles as of March 2017. For the last two decades it has experienced a compounded annual growth rate of above 10 percent. The number of vehicles per 1,000 population for Kerala in March 2017 is 330. According to World Development Indicators (2015), number of vehicles per 1,000 population in India is 18, China 47 and United States 507.

                    The growth of vehicle population in Kerala is eight percent over the previous year. The growth of Motor Vehicles during last ten years is given here.

             The number of motor vehicles having valid registrations as on March 31, 2017 is 11,030,037 as against 10,171,813 in the previous year. The details are given here. The number of newly registered vehicles is 939,580 in 2016-17 and the details are given  here. Personal vehicles have recorded a faster growth rate over the previous year. The District-wise growth of vehicle numbers in Kerala is given here. The percentage of category-wise motor vehicles registered in 2016-17 is shown here.

                 About 2.574 vehicles are newly added to the vehicle population every day. Of this 1,802 are two wheelers. The highest vehicle population was recorded in Ernakulum district with 16,75,199 vehicles (15.19 percent) followed by Thiruvananthapuram with 14,01,090 (12.7 percent). Wayanad district has the lowest number of 156,216 (1.42 percent) vehicles. Category wise growth of motor vehicles in Kerala since 2010 to 2017 is given here. The mismatch between growth in motor vehicles and the capacity augmentation of roads has resulted in increasing traffic congestion and road accidents throughout Kerala. The revenue earned by Kerala Motor Vehicles Department has risen from 1,831.15 crore in 2012-13 to 3,026.42 crore during 2016-17.

                  Kerala has 120.42 lakh registered motor vehicles as on March, 2018. For the last two decades it has experienced a compounded annual growth rate of above 10 percent. The number of vehicles per 1,000 populations for Kerala as on March 2018 is 361. According to world development indicators (2015), number of vehicles per 1,000 population in India is 18, China 47 and United States 507. The growth of vehicle population in Kerala is eight percent over the previous year. The growth of Motor Vehicles during last ten years is shown below:

Number of Motor Vehicle having Valid Registration as on 31.03.2018 is given here.  

The number of newly registered vehicles is 10,38,261 in 2017-18 (9,39,580 in 2016-17) and the

details are given in here.                 

Personal vehicles have recorded a faster growth rate over the previous year. The percentage of category-wise motor vehicles registered in 2017-18 is shown in Figure below:

Distribution of motor vehicles registered by type in 2017-18

Source: Motor Vehicles Department, Government of Kerala

The District-wise growth of motor vehicles numbers in Kerala is given here.

The highest vehicle population was recorded in Ernakulam District with 17,96,868 vehicles (14.9 per cent) followed by Thiruvananthapuram with 15,23,414 (12.7 per cent). Wayanad District has the lowest number of 1,76,093 (1.5 per cent) vehicles.

                  Kerala has 133.34 lakh registered motor vehicles as on March, 2019For the last two decades it has experienced a compounded annual growth rate of above 10 per cent. The number of vehicles per 1,000 populations for Kerala as on March 2018 is383. According to world development indicators (2015), number of vehicles per 1,000 populations in India is 18, China 47 and United States 507, which means Kerala’s vehicle population, is far ahead of China and at par with developed countries.

                   The growth of vehicle population in Kerala is 10.7per cent over the previous year. The growth of Motor Vehicles during last ten years is shown below:

              The number of motor vehicles having valid registrations as on March 31, 2019 is 1, 33, 34,984 as against 1, 20, 42,691 in the previous year. The details are below: The District-wise growth of motor vehicles numbers in Kerala is given TABLE 1 & TABLE II

              The highest vehicle population was recorded in Ernakulam District with 19,45,451 vehicles (14.6per cent) followed by Thiruvananthapuram with16,64,565 (12.5 per cent).Wayanad District has the lowest number of 2,06,476 (1.5 per cent)vehicles.

                 Kerala has 141.84 lakh registered motor vehicles as on March, 2020. For the last two decades it has experienced a compounded annual growth rate of above 10 percent. The number of vehicles per 1,000 populations for Kerala as on March 2019 is 425. According to world development indicators (2015), number of vehicles per 1,000 populations in India is 18, China 47 and United States 507, which means Kerala’s vehicle population, is far ahead of China and at par with developed countries. The growth of vehicle population in Kerala has decreased to 6.36 percent over the previous year’s population of 10.7 percent. The growth of motor vehicles during last eleven years is shown below:

Growth of motor vehicles since last eleven years

Source: Motor Vehicles Department, Government of Kerala

                The number of motor vehicles having valid registrations as on March 31, 2020 is 1,41, 84,184 as against 1,33,34,984 in the previous year. The number of newly registered vehicles in 2019-20 is 8,49, 200 (12, 92,295 in 2018-19). The percentage of category-wise motor vehicles registered in 2019-20 is shown below:

Distribution of motor vehicles registered by type in 2019-20

Source: Motor Vehicles Department, Government of Kerala

 Road Accidents

                Even though several initiatives have been taken by the police to enforce road discipline and enforcement of rules by Motor Vehicles Department, road accidents are increasing. The increasing trend of traffic accidents is a matter of great concern. The accident rate of Kerala is increasing with 15 accidents per 1000 vehicles during 2012-13. Even bigger states like Uttar Pradesh, Gujarat and Rajasthan reports far less number of accidents compared to Kerala. Motor Vehicle Road Accident 2012-14.

                            During 2014-15, Kerala registered 37253 accidents (102 per day). Accidents due to KSRTC buses were 1218 (3 per day) and private buses were 3168 (9 per day). The number of two wheelers has increased from 52.88 lakh in 2014 to 58.29 lakh in 2015, recording average annual growth rate of 10.27 percent. Similarly the number of traffic crashes involving two wheelers has grown from 16,394 (45 per day) in 2014 to 29,963 (82 per day) in 2015. Bike accidents account for nearly 53 percent of the total accidents reported in the State. Trend of motor vehicle accidents in Kerala is shown here.

                  During 2015-16, Kerala registered 39137 accidents (107 per day). Accidents due to KSRTC buses were 1330 (4 per day) against 5686 buses and private buses were 3303 as against 25449 (9 per day). The number of two wheelers has increased from 58.29 lakh in 2015 to 64.72 lakh in 2016, recording average annual growth rate of 11 per cent. Similarly the number of traffic crashes involving two wheelers has grown from 29,963 (82 per day) in 2015 to 31595 (87 per day) in 2016. Bike accidents account for nearly 52 per cent of the total accidents reported in the State. Trend of Motor Vehicle Accidents in Kerala is shown here.                                                                         

Kerala recorded a total of 39137 accidents in the year 2016 which is 385 accidents per lakh vehicles registered in the State. Growth of accidents in the State during the last seven years is given here.                                                   

              During 2016-17, Kerala registered 38,777 accidents (106 per day). Accidents due to KSRTC buses was 1,000 in 2016-17 (3 per day) and other buses was 3,501(10 per day). The number of two wheelers has increased from 64.72 lakh in 2016 to 65.77 lakh in 2017, recording average annual growth rate of 11 percent. The number of traffic crashes involving two wheelers has decreased from 31,595 (87 per day) in 2016 to 15,033 (41 per day) in 2017. Bike accidents account for nearly 38 percent and motor cars for 28 percent respectively of the total accidents reported in the State. Trend of motor vehicle accidents in Kerala is given here.

              Kerala recorded a total of 38,777 accidents in 2017 which is 351 accidents per lakh vehicles registered in the State. Growth of accidents in the State during the last eight years is given below. It can be seen that the accident occurrences had exhibited fluctuation during various time periods although not showing any definite patterns of growth or decline. But it is to be highlighted that there is a constant decrease in accidents/lakh vehicles every year since 2010 is given here.

                 Most of the accidents are attributed to the fault of drivers as per records available with Traffic Police. However, deficiencies in road design also affect motor vehicles, a fact generally overlooked as bad road conditions. Road safety training for various categories of road users, rectification in road design, deficiencies in inclusion of road safety aspects in the planning and operation stages of road construction are the primary facts to be taken up for reducing accidents. The percentage of vehicle category wise accidents in Kerala in 2016-17 is shown here.

                    In 2017-18, Kerala registered 38,734 accidents (106 per day). Accidents due to KSRTC buses were 1,161 in 2017-18 (3 per day) and other bus was 2,917 buses (8 per day). The number of two wheelers has increased from 65.77 lakh in 2017 to 77.97 lakh in 2018, recording average annual growth rate of 18.6 percent. The number of traffic crashes involving two wheelers has increased from 15,033 (41 per day) in 2017 to 34,473 (94 per day) in 2018. Bike accidents account for nearly 55 per cent and Motor Cars for 21 percent respectively of the total accidents reported in the State. Trend of Motor Vehicle Accidents in Kerala is presented in Figure below:

Trend of motor vehicle accidents in Kerala

Source: State Crime Records Bureau

                  The accidents per lakh vehicles registered in the State was 322 in 2017-18. Growth of accidents in the State during the last eight years is given in Table 9.8. It can be seen that the accident occurrences had exhibited fluctuation during various time periods although not showing any definite patterns of growth or decline. But it is to be highlighted that there is a constant decrease in accidents/lakh vehicles every year since 2010.

                     Most of the accidents are attributable to the fault of drivers as per records available with traffic police. However, deficiencies in road design also affect motor vehicles, a fact generally overlooked as bad road conditions. Road safety training for various categories of road users, rectification in road design, deficiencies in inclusion of road safety aspects in the planning and operation stages of road construction are the primary facts to be taken up for reducing accidents. The percentage of vehicle category-wise accidents in Kerala in 2017-18 is shown below:

Details of road accident by vehicle type in Kerala, in 2017-18

Source: State Crime Records Bureau 

                  From January to September 2019, Kerala registered 31,686 accidents. Accidents due to KSRTC buses were 664 and other bus was 2,349.The number of two wheelers has increased from 77.97 lakh in 2017-18 to 86.20 lakh in 2018-19, recording average annual growth rate of 10.5per cent. The number of traffic crashes involving two wheelers has decreased from 34,473 (94per day) in 2018 to 16,785 (46 per day) in 2019.Bike accidents account for nearly 41 per centand Motor Cars for 28 per cent respectively of the total accidents reported in the State. Trend of Motor Vehicle Accidents in Kerala is presented below:

The accidents per lakh vehicles registered in the State was 322 in 2017-18 was reduced to 305on 2018-19. Growth of accidents in the State during the last ten years is given below:

The percentage of vehicle category-wise accidents inKerala in 2018-19 is shown in Figure below:

                 From January to September 2020, Kerala registered 20,012 accidents. Accidents due to KSRTC buses in 2019-20 were 865 and other bus was 3,192. The number of two wheelers has increased from 86.20 lakh in 2018-19 to 92.07 lakh in 2019-20, recording average annual growth rate of 6.80 per cent. The number of traffic crashes involving two wheelers has decreased from 34,473 (94 per day) in 2018 to 16,970 (46 per day) in 2019. Bike accidents account for nearly 41 per cent and Motor Cars for 27 per cent respectively of the total accidents reported in the State. Trend of Motor Vehicle Accidents in Kerala is presented below:

Trend of motor vehicle accidents in Kerala

                 The accidents per lakh vehicles registered in the State was 305 in 2018-19, and it reduced to 289 in 2019-20. In 2020-21 (upto September, 2020), 20,012 road accident cases reported. It can be seen that the accident occurrences had exhibited fluctuation during various time periods although not showing any definite patterns of growth or decline. But it is to be highlighted that there is a constant decrease in accidents/lakh vehicles every year since 2010. The accident trend in Kerala during 2010-2020 is given below:

Accident trend in Kerala in 2010-2020

Source: Motor Vehicles Department, State Crime Record Bureau

Road Accident Statistics 2020

Railways in Kerala:

           The State total railway route has a length of 1257 Km and covers 13 railway routes. The Railway Divisions at Thiruvananthapuram, Palakkad and Madurai jointly carry out Railway Operations in Kerala. Total route Km of 623.76 km of Trivandrum Division comprises of 494.76 in Kerala State and 129km in Tamilnadu State (Planning Commission of India-Twelfth Five year Plan 2013-18 Report). Thiruvananthapuram Division is the largest Coaching Division of Southern Railway with coach holding of 1572 (bare) coaches. The Division maintains 40 Express trains and 53 passenger trains.

                        Railways are essentially the cause for Industrial upsurge in the nation and it still remained the largest employment provider for the huge population of the country. The total length of track used by Indian Railways is about 111599 Km and the total route length is 64215 kms. The State total Railway route has a length of 1257 Km and covers 13 Railway routes. The Railway Divisions at Thiruvananthapuram, Palakkad and Madurai jointly carry out Railway Operations in Kerala. Ssix new Train services were started from Kerala during 2010-11. They are Kanniyakumari-Thiruvananthapuram-Dibrugarh Vivek Exp.(weekly); Manglore-Santragachi Superfast Vivek Exp.(weekly); Nilambur Road-Thiruvananthapuram Rajya Rani Exp.(daily); Kochuveli-Bhavanagar Exp.(weekly); Ernakulam –Bilaspur Exp.(weekly); Mangalore-Palakkad Superfast Intercity Exp.(daily). 

                  Kerala occupies a significant position on the Indian Railway map with 1,257 route km and 1,588 km of total track. Thiruvananthapuram and Palakkad divisions of the Southern Railway zone are the administrative divisions. Palakkad division operates 76 express and 49 passenger trains and carries 2.16 lakh passengers. Thiruvananthapuram division operates 80 express trains and 60 passenger trains and carries 2.6 lakh passengers daily. All the railway lines passing through the State have been converted into broad gauge. There are about 200 railway stations in the State. Doubling and electrification works are in progress in various parts of the State. Feasibility studies for some new lines are also underway in the rail sector.

                  In Kerala, Thiruvananthapuram and Palakkad divisions of the Southern Railways are the administrative Divisions. Palakkad Division operates 76 express and 49 passenger trains and carries 2.16 lakh passengers. Thiruvananthapuram division operates 80 express trains and 60 passenger trains and carries 2.6 lakh passengers daily. All the railway lines passing through the State have been converted into broad gauge. There are about 200 railway stations in the State. Doubling and electrification works are in progress in various parts of the State. Feasibility studies for some new lines are also underway in the rail sector.

Kerala Rail Development Corporation (KRDCL)

                  KRDCL, a joint venture (JV) company between GoI and GoK, has been formed with the objective of taking up major railway infrastructure development projects in Kerala on a cost sharing mode. The Joint Venture (JV) is registered with an equity share of 51 per cent and 49 percent between GoK and GoI and proposes to take up the upcoming railway projects in Kerala through project specific SPVs.

                  The JV Company has an initial paid up capital of ₹100 crore based on the quantum of projects to be undertaken. The authorised equity share capital and paid up capital can be enhanced from time to time with the approval of Ministry of Railways (Railway Board) and the State Government. Total land required for the project as on May 2019 was 1,226.45 Ha. Of which,1,074.19 Ha is private land. 107.98 Ha is Government Land and 44.28 Ha is railway land along the existing line. Status of the projects identified by KRDCL is given below :

Suburban Rail Project

        Government of Kerala has decided to establish Suburban train services in Thiruvananthapuram- Chengannur /Harippad sector in Phase-I by constituting a Special Purpose Vehicle to run air conditioned MEMU/EMU Rakes. M/s Mumbai Rail Vikas Corporation (MVRC) has finalized the Detailed Project Report. The total cost of the project is 3300.00 Crore. A Special Purpose Vehicle is formed between Government of Kerala and Indian Railways with 50:50 equity participation for taking up implementation of the Project.

Thiruvananthapuram-Kasaragod Semi High Speed Rail

              The train traffic in the existing double line between Thiruvananthapuram and Kasaragod has increased manifold and some of the sections have capacity utilisation of more than 115 percent. In order to meet the growing demand of rail passenger traffic, the GoK has taken up the initiative to provide 3rd and 4th Railway line between Thiruvananthapuram and Kasaragod asa Semi High Speed Rail (SHSR) corridor in which the train can run with a maximum operational speed of 200kmph and can reach north to south in4 hrs. The Kerala Rail Development Corporation Limited has prepared the feasibility study report for the above project through M/sSystra, Paris and arrived at a completion cost of ₹66,079 crore over construction period of approximately 5 years.

Kochi Metro

             KMRP is the flagship project of the GoK designed to address the transportation woes of Kochi City. The project is implemented through theKochi Metro Rail Ltd (KMRL) which is a SPV jointly owned by the GoK and GoI through equity participation. The GoI gave sanction for the project in July 2012 at a total cost of ₹5,181.79crore for Aluva-Pettah 25.612 km stretch, on a fully elevated metro viaduct with 22 stations. KMRL has signed an agreement with GoI and Delhi Metro Rail Corporation Ltd (DMRC)for executing the project as per the tripartite agreement signed between Govt. of India, Govt.of Kerala and KMRL. The details of the on-going project are given below:

                  Reach I- from Aluva to Palarivattom, with asection length of 13.4 km and 11 stations was commissioned on June 19, 2017. ReachII A-from Palarivattom to Maharajas College a section length of 4.96km and 5 stations was commissioned on November 3, 2018. The work of Reach 2 B from Maharajas College to Thykoodam,with a section length of 5.65km and 5 stations was commissioned on September 3, 2019. The financial progress of phase I based on revised project cost of ₹5,687.79 crore is 98.59 per cent.

                     The gross revenue earning of Kochi Metroincreased from ₹44.67 crore to ₹81.37 crore in2018-19. The gross revenue expenditure in 2018-19 is ₹101.30crore compared to ₹87.96 crore in2017-18 and operating loss in 2018-19 period is₹19.93 crore compared to ₹43.29 crore in 2017-18.The number of passenger carried increased from 100.71 lakh to 126.25 lakh in 2018-19,shows 25.54 per cent increase in passenger travelling.                  

Light Metro Rail Project at Thiruvananthapuram and Kozhikode 

               Light Metro Rail Project is a Mass Rapid Transit System (MRTS) proposed to be implemented in the cities of Thiruvananthapuram and Kozhikode by a special purpose vehicle, Kerala Rapid Transit Corporation Limited (KRTL). The DPR has been prepared by Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC). A route length of 13.33 km with 14 stations in Kozhikode has been decided as the first phase of the project. The estimated completion cost of the project is 4,219.00 crore for Thiruvananthapuram and 2,509.00 crore for Kozhikode totalling to 6,728.00 crore (including Central taxes and land cost). The estimated completion period of the project is five years for Thiruvananthapuram and four years for Kozhikode.      

Air Transport: 

          According to Economic Review 2018 Kerala has four international airports viz., Thiruvananthapuram, Kochi, Kozhikode and Kannur. All civilian airports functioning in the State are international airports, a feature which is unique to Kerala. Thiruvananthapuram international airport is one of the major airports in south India. It plays a major role in the world aviation map, connecting and controlling about nine international air-routes and eight domestic air-routes and provides approach control service to eight major and minor aerodromes. CIAL was ranked the third best airport in the 50 to 150 lakh passengers category based on the 2016 Airport Service Quality (ASQ) Survey conducted by Airports Council International (ACI), Montreal, Canada. CIAL is experimenting with innovative models which are comprehensive, sustainable and cost effective. Kozhikode International Airport is the twelfth busiest airport in India and the third in Kerala. Upon completion of Kannur International Airport, Kerala will join Tamil Nadu as the State with the most number of international airports.               

          Air Transport plays a major role in the development of tourism both domestic and international. During 2012-13, 66122 flights (26524 domestic and 39598 international) were operated from all the three airports together. From the three airports, a total number of 83,74,104 passengers (24,64,712 domestic and 59,09,392 international ) were carried during 2012-13. Details of flights operated during 2012-13 by three Airports are shown in Appendix 5.19(Aa), (B) and (C).

            During 2013-14, 74533 flights ( 38024 domestic and 36509 international) were operated from all the three airports together. From the three airports, a total number of 1,07,67,493 passengers ( 3368096 domestic and 7399397 international ) were carried during 2013-14. Details of flights operated during 2013-14 by three Airports are shown in Appendix 5.19(Aa), (B) and (C). 

              During 2014-15, 68119 flights (15028 domestic and 53091 international) were operated from the three airports together. A total number of 1, 29, 15,773 passengers (44, 92,737 domestic and 84, 23,036 international) were carried during 2014-15. Details of flights operated during 2014-15 by three Airports are shown in [Details of Flights operated by various agencies from Thiruvananthapuram International Airport], [Details of flights operated by various agencies from Kozhikode Airport], [Details of flights operated by various agencies from Cochin International Airport].

             During 2015-16, 93,344 flights(37459 domestic and 57485 international) were operated from the three airports together. A total number of 14,128,802 passengers (5,009,456 domestic and 9,119,346 international) were carried during 2015-16. Details of flights operated during 2015-16 by three Airports are shown here.

Cochin International Airport Limited (CIAL)

                      CIAL was ranked the third best airport in the 50 to 150 lakh passengers category based on the 2016 Airport Service Quality(ASQ) Survey conducted by Airports Council International (ACI), Montreal, Canada. CIAL is experimenting with innovative models which are comprehensive, sustainable and cost effective. Renovated domestic terminal with State of the art facilities were inaugurated on December12, 2018.

                    In 2018-19, 41,104 domestic flights and 30,762international flights and in 2019-20 as on 30thAugust 2019, 17,574 domestic flights and 12,659international flights operated from the airport.52,68,824 domestic passengers and 49,32,265international passengers travelled in 2018-19and in 2019-20 (up to 30.8.2019), 22,67,923domestic passengers and 21,20,217 international passengers travelled to various destinations. In 2018-19, the volume of cargo handled were14,918 tonnes through domestic services and 61,447 tonnes through international services. In 2019-20 (up to 30 August 2019), 17,574 and12,659 tonnes of cargo were operated through domestic and international services respectively.The revenue earnings were ₹650.34 crore in2018-19 and ₹283.20 crore in 2019-20 (upto August 30, 2019). On the other hand, the expenditure incurred were ₹403.51 crore and ₹160.39 crore in 2018-19 and 2019-20 (up toAugust 30, 2019) respectively.

Kannur International Airport Limited (KIAL):

             Kannur International Airport Limited (KIAL) was set up by GoK to build and operate Kannur International airport. The Kannur airport project is being developed in two phases by KIAL. The first phase is envisaged to span from financial year 2016-17 to financial year 2025-26 and second phase would be from financial year 2026-27 to financial year 2045-46. In phase I, the airport would have flight movements of 39,638 numbers (peak hour’s 18 nos) p.a with 4.67 million passengers and 60,758 tonnes of cargo. The facilities in the airport include a runway length of 3,050 m, with a terminal building of 96,000 sq.m, 20 parking stands (apron), and 22,000 sq.m Car/Bus Parking, 1200 sq.m. ATC/Technical Building and around 7,750 sq.m near the apron area of Ground Service Equipment Parking area. The Board of Directors decided to extend the length of runway from 3,050 m to 3,400 m and the land acquisition processes are in progress for this

Inland Water Transport in Kerala:

                 Inland Water Transport, is a fuel efficient and environment friendly mode of transportation. India is richly endowed with navigable waterways, comprising rivers, canals, backwaters, creeks, etc. It is estimated that a total of 14500 Km of the waterways could be used for passenger and cargo movement. The State of Kerala, with numerous backwaters, is one of the State in India, where waterways are successfully used for commercial Inland Water Transport. The transportation is mainly done with country craft and passenger vessels. There are 41 navigable rivers in Kerala. The total length of the Inland Waterways in the State is 1687 Kms. The main constraints to the expansion of Inland Water transport in the State are lack of depth in the waterway caused by silting, lack of maintenance of navigation system and bank protection, accelerated growth of the water hyacinth, lack of modern inland craft terminals and cargo handling system.

                  The total length of the Inland Waterways in the State is 2395 Kms. The main arterial waterway in the state is West Coast Canal. The West Coast Canal connects the Neeleswaram in the north to Kovalam - Thiruvananthapuram in the south and is about 595 Km including 44 Km. uncut portion from Badakara to Azheekal .The Inland Canals play an important role in the economy of the state as they interconnect the rivers and backwaters .The Government agencies engaged in the development of Inland Water Transport in the State are Coastal Shipping and Inland Navigation Department (CSIND), State Water Transport Department (SWTD) and Kerala Shipping and Inland Navigation Corporation Ltd. (KSINC).

Kerala Port Sector: The Kerala state lies in the south west corner of the Indian peninsula. It has a coastal length of 585 km and the state has an average width of about 60 km with one major port at Cochin and 17 non major ports. The non major ports are under the administration of Government of Kerala. Government of Kerala intends to provide a boost to coastal shipping with the development of ports. Kerala state has got the Ghats in the east and the Arabian Sea on the west. The forest area in the east and coastal area in the west are environmentally very sensitive areas. The midland and coastal lowland are thickly populated. The physical and geographical features of Kerala and shortage of land causes man hardships for port development and industrialization in Kerala. The geographical location of Kerala is very close to international shipping route. There are seventeen minor ports in Kerala, out of which three are considered as intermediate ports based on berthing, cargo handling and storage facilities available in them. These have contributed much to the development of industry. trade, commerce and agriculture in the country.

            Presently cargo operations take place only in three ports – i.e. in Vizhinjam, Beypore and Azhikkal ports. Vizhinjam handles about 1000 tonnes. Beypore 50,000 tonnes and Azhikkal about 5000 tones annually. The remaining minor ports in Kerala are now defunct due to various reasons. Recognizing the need to develop the ports in a time bound manner, Government decided to encourage private sector participation in the sector. An amount of Rs 17081 lakhs and Rs 23081 lakhs are earmarked for this sector during 2010-11 and 2011-12 respectively.

Telecommunication

          Telecommunication is one of the prime support services needed for rapid growth and modernisation of the economy. The Telecommunication services in India have improved significantly since independence.

           Kerala Telecom circles serves the whole of Kerala State, the Union Territory of Lakshadweep and part of Union Territory of Pondicherry (Mahe). The Circle has 11 major Secondary Switching Areas (SSAs) and one minor Secondary Switching Area (SSA) of Lakshadweep. Out of 11 major Secondary Switching Areas (SSAs), four at (Trivandrum, Ernakulam, Kottayam and Trichur) are headed by Principal General Managers and 7 are headed by General Managers. Lakshadweep minor SSA is headed by a Telecom District Manager.

          In Kerala, all the telephone exchanges were made automatic for the first time in the whole country, way back in 1990. In 1992 Kerala became the first state to provide Public Telephone facilities in all Panchayats Headquarters. Kerala is also the first state to provide Public Telephone in every village, by 1995. Kerala has a telephone density of 114.3 per thousand population as on 30.9.2005. The rural telephone density is 100 per 1000 population and urban telephone density is 153 per 1000 population.

             In 2018-19, 1,579 domestic flights and 578 international flights and in 2019-20 (as on September 30, 2019), 5,439 domestic flights and 2,649 international flights operated from the airport. 1, 35,251 domestic passengers and 89,134 international passengers travelled during 2018-19 and in 2019-20 (Up to 30.8.2019), 4, 60,490 domestic passengers and 4, 06,899 international passengers travelled to various destinations. The revenue earnings were ₹19.36 crore in 2018-19 and ₹47.01 crore in 2019-20 up to September 30, 2019. On the other hand, the expenditure incurred were ₹76 crore and ₹83.15 crore in 2018-19 and 2019-20 up to September 30, 2019 respectively.

Source:

* Economic Review 2010-2020

* Motor Vehicle Department 

* Department of Economics and Statistics, Kerala