Kochi Metro has commenced the service trial on its 1.8 km-long Phase 1-A extension from Petta to SN Junction. The track is likely to be commissioned by June 2022.
All the metro trains conducted services till SN Junction as a part of this exercise, but passengers weren’t a part of these service trials.
The Kochi Metro Rail Limited (KMRL) has confirmed that official services would begin only after a final-level inspection by the railway safety commissioner.
The trial run on this track, equipped with signal systems, was completed in February 2022.
The construction of this extension began in April 2020. The total cost of this project is Rs 453 crore, and Rs 98 crore out of it has been used up in the land acquisition for the construction of two metro stations.
There will be a single stop at Vadakkekkotta between the Petta and SN Junction stations. The Vadakkekkotta station will be the biggest one in the metro with the commissioning of the new line. Plans are underway to develop it as a significant business hub in the city, and over an acre of land has been allotted for parking in the station.
The Economic Times reports that the works on these stations are currently in their final stage.