Kerala: Kochi Metro’s Kakkanad Extension Gets Rs 239 Crore In Budget, 11.2-Km Network To Be Ready By 2026

The state government of Kerala has set aside Rs 239 crore for the second phase of Kochi Metro rail, Finance Minister K N Balagopal said, presenting the 2024-25 state budget on Monday (5 February).

The second phase of the metro consists of a 11.2-km elevated line from from Jawaharlal Nehru International Stadium to Infopark at Kakkanad.

Kochi Metro Rail Limited (KMRL), the executing agency for the project, is currently carrying out the preparatory works for the second phase. The budget allocation will help fuel land acquisition and other preliminary works.

On 7 September 2022, the Union Cabinet, presided over by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, approved the extension of Kakkanad (Infopark), dubbed as the Pink Line, at a cost of Rs 1,957.05 crore.

As per the funding plan, while the union government's share comes to Rs 339 crore, Kerala government would provide Rs 556 crore, and the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) will extend a loan of Rs 1,016 crore at an interest rate of around 3 per cent.

Starting at Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, the phase-2 expansion spans 11.2 km and 10 elevated stations: Palarivattom Junction, Palarivattom Bypass, Chembumukku, Vazhakkala, Padamughal, Kakkanad, Cochin SEZ (CSEZ), Chittethukara, KINFRA and Infopark.

The progress of phase-two has been hampered by delays, initially due to a prolonged wait for approval from the central government, followed by delays on the part of the state government in releasing funds for land acquisition necessary for road widening and station construction.

Furthermore, the KMRL is currently conducting a technical evaluation of design and build tender to construct the viaduct and stations in the Pink Line corridor. Subsequently, the financial bid will be evaluated, after which it will undergo scrutiny by the AIIB for final approval.

Moreover, contracts have been awarded for the construction of entry/exit facilities at Infopark, Chittethukara, KINFRA, Collectorate Junction, and CSEZ stations and tenders have been issued for the remaining stations along the corridor.

With budgetary approval in place, KMRL is working to commission the extension in another two years.

Once commissioned, the extension is anticipated to significantly enhance ridership within the mass rapid transport system, particularly benefiting the Aluva-Thripunithura phase-1 Blue Line.