Kochi Metro Rail Ltd (KMRL) is planning to commission its much-awaited Phase 1-A extension from Petta to SN Junction in June. Service trial on the extended Metro track would begin next week. Fire safety inspections on the track at Vadakkekkotta and SN Junction stations also would be held next week.
The trial run conducted on the track in February was successful and the authorities planned to commission the track by April. It was on April 21, 2020, that the works on the Petta-SN Junction stretch commenced. In August last year KMRL had revised the deadline for completing Phase 1-A extension of Metro service from Petta to SN Junction as March 2022. But it was delayed due to various reasons. It is learnt that now the KMRL has scheduled to commission the track in June.
The total distance of the line which is going to be commissioned is 1.8km. Metro trains will have one stop at Vadakkekkotta between Petta and SN Junction stations.
The total cost of the Phase 1-A extension from Petta to SN Junction is Rs 453 crore. Of the total amount, Rs 99 crore was spent for land acquisition for the construction of two Metro stations.
Meanwhile, the works on Phase 1-B extension from SN Junction to Tripunithura is also progressing. KMRL sources informed that 85% of the required land has already been acquired and the construction works on this land has already begun. “Sixty-eight per cent of piling works for the stations on the stretch and 30% of the piling works for the track laying have been completed,” said a source.
KMRL is planning to commission the Phase 1-B extension by the beginning of next year. When phase 1-A and 1-B is completed, the Metro will cover a total area of 28km with 25 stations.
Meanwhile, a collective of residents associations at Tripunithura will conduct a discussion with KMRL authorities on the proposal for construction of road beneath the proposed Metro track from SN Junction to Tripunithura on Tuesday.