Kochi: Safety nod for Metro extension

Kochi: The Commissioner of Metro Rail Safety (CMRS) on Sunday accorded necessary safety approval for commencement of passenger operations on the 5.65-km Maharajas College-Thykoodam section of the Kochi Metro.

Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan will inaugurate the extended services in the Reach 2 B at a function to be held at Rajiv Gandhi Indoor Stadium, Kadavanthra, at 11 am on Tuesday. However, passenger services on the stretch will begin only on Wednesday.

Hardeep Singh Puri, minister of state for civil aviation, housing and urban affairs, commerce and industry, will preside over the function. It will also witness the inauguration of construction of the Water Metro terminal and the Pettah-SN junction stretch.

Kochi Metro Rail Ltd (KMRL) has announced discounted rides for passengers for the first 14 days.

The passengers will get a flat 50 per cent discount from September 4 to 18. They will get a cashback equivalent to 50 per cent of used trips during the offer period for all existing valid trip pass holders.

The riders will also get free parking at all metro parking locations until September 25.

The KMRL has also announced free ride for nurses of the state on September 3. Health minister K. K. Shylaja will accompany nurses from Thykoodam metro station to Maharajas on the day.

The new extension will connect key intermodal transportation points of South Railway Station and Vytilla Mobility Hub with the metro route. Commuters can make use of metro trains to traverse the city without getting caught in traffic snarls.

With this, Kochi Metro will be conducting services on the 23.65 km Aluva-Thykoodam stretch. The Thykoodam-Pettah stretch is expected to be ready in another six months.