First reach of Kochi metro by Dec 2015

The first reach of Kochi metro rail,  comprising 13 km from Aluva to Palarivattom, is scheduled to be completed by December 2015 while the second reach (Palraivattom to Petta) is expected to be completed in March 2016, according to state minister for power and transport, Aryadan Muhammed. 

Despite incessant rains in the state, work on the first reach at Edappilly was progressing well, said the minister.The state has decided to extend the service to Thripunithura in Phase-I, which requires an additional cost of Rs 300-crore. In Phase-II, it will be extended to Angamali, Kakkanad and western side of Kochi city.

Meanwhile, the metro officials at a meeting decided approach the government to fasttrack the widening of the Thammanam-Pullepady and Vyttila-Petta road in Kochi for ensuring road traffic mobility during the construction period.   The Ernakulam district administration has assured the minister that the land acquisition process would be completed by August.

Of the entire 40 ha of land required for the project, 18 ha has already been handed over. The meeting also took note that 11 parcels of government land needed to be handed over for the project.

With respect to work on the busy M G Road, the meeting  decided to undertake it at one stretch for early completion, causing least inconvenience to the public.