Kochi: The Kochi Metro service will soon be extended to Thykoodam as the Maharajas College - Thykoodam stretch will be ready by June end. The Delhi Metro Rail Corporation has set June 30 as the deadline for completing the works and works are progressing on fast pace to meet the deadline.
“Viaduct construction has been almost completed except few missing links near Manorama and Vyttila mobility hub where spans are yet to be finished. Track laying works on both directions are nearing completion. Once it is completed, works of the third rail track, which provides power to the train, will begin. Now the interior works within the stations are remaining which we expect to complete by June end. The contractor agency has expedited works to meet the deadline,” said sources at DMRC.
Trial run will begin soon after completion of the works following which clearance and certification have to be given by the Railway Safety Commissioner after the inspection.
The major challenges along the 5.75 kilometre long stretch were construction of the 95 metre long balanced cantilever bridge across the Ernakulam South railway station and the 18-feet high crossover viaduct atop the Vyttila flyover which has been completed.
With the opening of Thykoodam stretch there will be five more new stations in the Metro corridor like Ernakulam South, Kad-avanthra, Elamkulam, Vyttila and Thykoodam. After completing the works, stations will be headed over to Kochi Metro Rail Limited for theming.
Once the Thykoodam stretch is opened for commercial service, the KMRL expects a considerable surge in ridership as the new corridor will connect Ernakulam South railway station with Vyttila mobility hub, two major transit points in the city.
The current patronage is between 30,000 to 35,000 which is expected to increase up to 55,000, as per the estimation of KMRL.
