KOCHI: As the Kochi Metro has successfully completed first year of operation, the Kochi Metro Rail Limited is focusing on the next phases of expansion. The ongoing Maharajas – Thykoodam stretch will be ready for commissioning by June 2019 while the next stretch from Thykoodam to Petta will take another four months to complete. “Land acquisition procedures for Phase I B, the Petta – SN junction stretch, are progressing while the initial survey and alignment finalisation for the SN junction to Tripunithura railway station has already begun,” said KMRL MD Muhammad Hanish.
The detailed project report of Phase II, from Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium to Infopark, has already been submitted to state and Union governments. “Discussions are on regarding the Phase II development which will be immediately undertaken with the financial assistance of French funding agency AFD.” The KMRL has invited tenders for DPR preparation for the Phase III, from Aluva to Angamaly via CIAL.
“According to feasibility studies, the JLN Stadium – Infopark line (Phase II) will have improved financial viability. Nearly 50,000 employees are working in Infopark and Smart City has 30,000 staff and a major section of them are expected to migrate to Metro,” according to Muhammad Hanish. The KMRL has also plans to expand the solar power project.
Currently, 20 per cent of the energy requirement of the Metro system is met from solar power which will be increased to 40 per cent. The Metro agency will soon introduce the mobile app for buses for which GPS system has been fitted in 850 buses. The mobile app for auto rickshaws will be launched within a month which will streamline the service of autos in the city.
