On Monday (4 December), the Kerala government approved a funding of Rs 378.57 crore for the second phase of the Kochi Metro Rail project.
The second phase of the project consists of an 11.8-km-long elevated line which will run from JLN Stadium to Infopark-Kakkanad and comprise 11 stations.
The proposed stations are 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.
It will connect important residential and commercial hubs in the city with well-known transit hubs like railway stations and bus stops, strengthening the idea of multi-modal integration and first-to-last mile connectivity.
Phase-II Metro will link Water Metro at InfoPark Jetty and Kakkanad Jetty.
On 1 September 2022, Prime Minister Narendra Modi laid the foundation for Phase II of the Kochi Metro rail network.
Initially sanctioned by the government in 2018, the second phase project was estimated to cost Rs 2,310 crore, but the Union Cabinet approved the detailed project report in September 2022, with a revised estimated cost of Rs 1,957.05 crore.
The Pink Line is anticipated to become operational by 2028.
A general consultant, Systra and Systra MVA Consortium has been appointed to supervise and monitor the work. Egis India is the detailed design consultant for Phase 2 of the project.
The Kochi Metro Rail Limited, a joint venture between the central government and the state government, stands out as the first metro system in the country seamlessly connecting rail, road, and water transport facilities.
The first phase of Kochi Metro from Aluva to Petta, covering a length of 25.6 km with 22 stations, was completed at Rs 5,181.79 crore and is now fully operational.
Renowned as the “Metro Man of India,” E. Sreedharan led the construction of the Kochi Metro, adding to his distinguished contributions in establishing the Delhi Metro and the Konkan Railways.