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KOCHI: The launch of Phase II of the Kochi Metro corridor, initially set to commence operations between its first five stations from JLN Stadium to Padamughal by June 2026, has been delayed by nearly a year due to temporary funding issues.
Now that the financial challenges have been addressed, Kochi Metro Rail Ltd (KMRL) has updated its timeline, planning to complete the full 11.2km stretch from JLN Stadium to Infopark by April 2027.
As previously reported, a funding shortfall had halted essential civil works, upsetting plans to launch services by mid-2026. In light of these delays, KMRL has abandoned its earlier two-phase launch strategy, shifting its focus to a single commissioning of the entire line by April next year instead of the previously planned December opening.
The primary obstacle—a postponed foreign loan—has been resolved. The Rs 1,016.24 crore funding from the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) is now ready for distribution. After more than a year of waiting, the state government approved the loan request in the second week of February. “The loan process is complete, and we expect the initial installment by next week,” a senior KMRL official stated. With the funding imminent, KMRL is set to expedite civil and electrical works to finish by December, followed by three months dedicated to testing and commissioning before services commence.
Currently, 85% of the piling works are complete, with some activities ongoing only in the JLN Stadium–Palarivattom section. Afcons Infrastructure Ltd is overseeing the civil construction under a Rs 1,141.32 crore contract.
The Pink Line will encompass 11 stations: JLN Stadium, Palarivattom Junction, Palarivattom Bypass, Chembumukku, Vazhakala, Padamughal, Civil Station Junction, Cochin SEZ, Chittethukara, Kinfra, and Infopark. KMRL is also assessing its operational model, considering whether to run trains directly through the current network or to terminate services at JLN Stadium, which would require passengers to change for Phase I (Aluva–Tripunithura) services.
This new corridor is expected to significantly benefit around 75,000 employees at Infopark and 25,000 workers from Smart City and Kinfra, who currently rely on private vehicles due to limited public transport options.
“We urge the authorities to expedite work and ensure the Phase II corridor opens as soon as possible,” stated Anish Panthalani of Progressive Techies, an organization representing the IT workforce in Kerala.
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