"Kochi Metro Rail Begins Phase II Construction Today"

Kochi Metro Rail Limited (KMRL) is set to commence construction on the viaduct and CEZ Metro station for Phase II of the Pink Line starting Saturday. Industry Minister P Rajeeve will officially inaugurate the project at 2 PM at the site of the proposed CEZ Metro station, with Hibi Eden MP, Uma Thomas MLA, and other dignitaries in attendance.

Following the inauguration, Afcons Infrastructure Ltd, the contractor for the ₹1,957.05 crore Pink Line project, will begin piling work for the viaduct. Afcons has been awarded the ₹1,141.32 crore contract to build the 11.2 km viaduct, with a completion timeline of 20 months. If the construction is finished on schedule, KMRL is expected to earn the distinction of the fastest metro construction agency in India. The overall Phase II project is anticipated to be completed within two years, according to a KMRL press release.

The Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) has approved ₹914 crore in financial assistance for the Phase II project, with KMRL MD Loknath Behera stating that a contract with the AIIB will be signed in October.

Preliminary work for the project has already included over five test pilings along the proposed route from JLN Stadium to Infopark, soil tests, and topographical surveys. The new stations planned include Palarivattom Junction, Palarivattom Bypass, Chembumukku, Vazhakkala, Padamughal, Kakkanad Junction, Cochin SEZ, Chittethukara, KINFRA, and Infopark.

KMRL aims to complete system and signaling works within four months following the viaduct construction. Additionally, the KMRL is preparing to discuss alternative routes to mitigate traffic congestion in the city-to-Kakkanad corridor during the construction period.

ET