Kerala govt approves funding for Kochi Metro Phase-II expansion
This phase will encompass an elevated line spanning 11.8 kilometres, connecting JLN Stadium to Infopark-Kakkanad and featuring 11 stations. The proposed stations include Jawaharlal Nehru (JLN) Stadium (new station box), Palarivattom Junction, Palarivattom Bypass, Chembumukku, Vazhakkala, Padamughal (formerly Kunnumpuram), Kakkanad Junction, Cochin SEZ (Special Economic Zone), Chittethukara, KINFRA (formerly Rajagiri), InfoPark-1/Smart City-1, and InfoPark-2/Smart City-2.
This expansion aims to connect key residential and commercial areas in the city to major transit hubs such as railway stations and bus stops, enhancing the concept of multi-modal integration and first-to-last mile connectivity.
The Phase-II Metro will establish links to the Water Metro at InfoPark Jetty and Kakkanad Jetty.
On the September 1, 2022, Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated Phase II of the Kochi Metro rail network. Initially projected to cost Rs 23.1 billion in 2018, the Union Cabinet approved the detailed project report in September 2022 with a revised estimated cost of Rs 19.5705 billion.
The anticipated operational date for the Pink Line is 2028. A general consultant, Systra and Systra MVA Consortium, has been appointed to supervise the work, while Egis India serves as the detailed design consultant for Phase 2.
The Kochi Metro Rail Limited, a joint venture between the central government and the state government, is notable for being the first metro system in the country to seamlessly connect rail, road, and water transport facilities.
The first phase of the Kochi Metro, spanning 25.6 kilometres from Aluva to Petta with 22 stations, was completed at a cost of Rs 51.8179 billion and is now fully operational.
E Sreedharan, renowned as the "Metro Man of India," played a leading role in the construction of the Kochi Metro, adding to his distinguished contributions in establishing the Delhi Metro and the Konkan Railways.