Kochi Metro: Transforming Urban Mobility with Palarivattom Metro Station

Developed with state-of-the-art technology, the Kochi Metro project is a flagship infrastructure initiative undertaken jointly by the Kerala government and the central government to meet the city’s growing travel demand. Operations on Phase 1 of the Kochi Metro started in June 2017. The development of a mass rapid transit system (MRTS) project in Kochi, also known as Kerala’s commercial hub, will bring about a phenomenal change in the city’s realty market, turning several localities into coveted hotspots for residential properties.

Inauguration and Expansion

PM Narendra Modi laid the foundation stone of the Kochi Metro Phase 2 project and inaugurated the Petta-SN Junction of Phase 1A on September 1, 2022, at an event at the Cochin International Airport Limited (CIAL) trade fair and exhibition centre. The event was held in the presence of Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, Governor Arif Muhammed Khan, Mayor M Anilkumar, Member of Parliament Hibi Eden, Transport Minister Antony Raju, and Kerala Industries Minister P Rajeev.

On September 7, 2022, the Union Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, approved the Kochi Metro project’s Phase 2.

Phase 1A and 1B Developments

The Petta-SN Junction stretch is the first to be implemented directly by the Kochi Metro Rail Limited (KMRL). Once the services start till SN Junction, Kochi will have a total of 24 metro stations. The trial runs on this section started in May 2022. The revenue operations at SN Junction and Vadakkekotta metro stations will begin around 7 pm, after PM Modi dedicates the project to the Kochi residents. With the inauguration of these metro stations for revenue operations, KMRL is expected to attain an average of one lakh commuters daily.

Further, development works on Phase 1B extension linking SN Junction to Tripunithura are under progress. Nearly 85 percent of land acquisition has been completed. The completion of Phase 1 and Phase 2 of the Kochi metro network will emphasize the concept of first or last mile connectivity and multi-modal integration by linking major residential and commercial hubs of the city with major transit hubs such as railway stations and bus stands.

Kochi Water Metro

Furthermore, PM Modi inaugurated the Kochi Water Metro project, the country’s first water Metro service, on April 25, 2023.

Phase 2: The Pink Line

Under the second phase of the Kochi Metro project, the JLN Stadium to Infopark-Kakkanad corridor, also known as the Pink Line, will be developed, as per media reports. According to KMRL Managing Director Loknath Behera, the agency will float a tender for the design and development of viaducts. Work on the Pink Line of Kochi Metro will start in December 2023 and the section will be ready by December 2025. Further, the JLN Stadium to Kakkanad section will comprise 11 stations and will be developed at a cost of Rs 1,957 crore.

Upcoming Inaugurations

PM Modi will inaugurate Kochi Metro Rail Phase-I Extension project (Phase IB) from the SN Junction Metro Station to the Tripunithura Metro Station on March 6, 2024. This will mark the completion of the 28-km Kochi Metro Phase-1 corridor, encompassing 25 stations spanning from Aluva to Tripunithura.

Quick Facts About Kochi Metro

Latest Updates

Kochi Metro Joins ONDC to Enhance Mobility Experience

April 4, 2024: Kochi Metro has joined the Open Network for Digital Commerce (ONDC), following the Chennai Metro’s successful integration with the network. ONDC has announced the addition of Kochi Metro Rail to its expanding mobility domain, as per media reports. This will help commuters in Kochi to buy single journey and return journey tickets through four buyer apps on the ONDC Network: Yatri, Paytm, Rapido, and redBus. They can also book tickets on the PhonePe app.

Kochi Metro Introduces WhatsApp Ticketing Facility

January 10, 2024: To boost digital ticketing and payments, the KMRL has introduced a WhatsApp ticketing facility in metro trains, according to media reports. With this, commuters can buy WhatsApp QR tickets through the KMRL WhatsApp number 9188957488. To buy a ticket, send ‘Hi’ to the number on WhatsApp and follow the instructions. Click on ‘QR ticket’ and then click on ‘Book ticket’. In the next step, select entry and exit stations from the list. Select the number of passengers. Finally, make the payment online by preferred mode. In case of cancellation, type and send ‘Hi’.

A 10% discount will be available on tickets purchased through WhatsApp during normal hours, while a 50% discount is applicable during non-peak hours (5:45 AM to 7 AM and 10 PM to 11 PM).

Update on June 23, 2023

KMRL to Conduct Study on the Aluva-Airport Extension

According to media reports, the KMRL has appointed a Delhi-based consultancy firm to conduct a revised study on the Aluva-Kochi airport extension under Phase 3 of the Kochi Metro rail project. Urban Mass Transit Company Limited (UMTC) will conduct a revised study. According to KMRL Managing Director Loknath Behera, the agency is exploring the idea of adopting the Paris Metro model where passengers can check in their luggage at the metro station before boarding a flight.

Update on May 9, 2023

KMRL to Sign MoU with NATPC to Improve Footfall in Kochi Metro

KMRL will sign an MoU with the National Transportation Planning and Research Centre (NATPAC) to conduct a three-month-long study to identify ways to increase patronage in Kochi Metro and its waterway extension, the Kochi Water Metro. The focus will be on seamless first and last-mile connectivity from metro stations and Water Metro terminals, primarily through autos and buses.

Kochi Metro Map

(Source: Wikimedia Commons)

Kochi Metro Stations

List of Metro Stations Under Kochi Metro Phase 1, Phase 1A, and Phase 1B

The Vadakkekotta station is the biggest among all the metro stations in Kochi with an area of 4.3 lakh square feet. It has large commercial spaces inside and outside the new facilities, unlike other stations. It has a design theme depicting Kerala’s role in the freedom struggle, while the SN Junction station has a theme featuring Ayurveda and its modern approaches.

KMRL has developed a two-lane Panamkutty Bridge with a footpath as part of its preparatory works for Phase I Extension, turning the stretch into a four-lane corridor. It was opened to the citizens on February 15, 2021, in a record 15 months’ time and about six months ahead of schedule.

Under the Metro Phase 1A project, the viaduct of 1.8 km from Petta to SN Junction is being implemented at an approved cost of Rs 710.93 crore as a state sector project. The construction activities related to the metro project have been completed, and the project is ready for inauguration.

The 1.20-km SN Junction-Tripunithura metro section has been developed at a cost of Rs 448.83 crore. It will cater to the traffic from the eastern and western sides of Ernakulam. For the first time in the Kochi Metro, open web girder technology has been used along a 60-metre stretch of this route.

List of Metro Stations Under Kochi Metro Phase 2

Kochi Metro Phase 1 B corridor covering 1.2 km from SN Junction to Thripunithura Terminal is under construction as a state sector project.

Kochi Water Metro Project and Route Map Details

Kochi becomes the first city with water transport integrated as a feeder service (boat rides) to the Metro. The KMRL implemented the Kochi Water Metro project at an estimated cost of Rs 747 crores, with financial help from Kreditanstalt für Wiederaufbau (KFW), a German state-owned bank. Kochi Water Metro project is being developed as an integrated ferry transport facility in the Greater Kochi region. It will serve as a feeder service to the suburbs along the rivers. The project is aimed to utilize the inland waterways in and around the city.

On February 15, 2021, the first route between Vytilla and InfoPark Kochi metro stations under Phase I of the Kochi metro project was inaugurated by Kerala Chief Minister, Pinarayi Vijayan.

On December 31, 2021, the Cochin Shipyard Limited (CSL), the shipbuilding company, handed over the 23 battery-powered electric ferries to the Kochi Metro Rail Limited (KMRL). The 50-seater boat was named Muziris. Around four more water metro boats are likely to be launched in a few months.

Kochi Water Metro Route Details

There are 15 routes planned under the water metro project and headways vary between 10 to 20 minutes. With a total length of about 76 km, the routes will connect 38 terminals across ten island communities and boatyards. Electrically propelled hybrid ferries will connect the Kochi islands with the mainland, thus benefiting over one lakh residents in the islands.

Kerala has 44 rivers and backwaters. As per officials, the integrated metro service linking rail, road, and water will facilitate the utilization of inland water bodies for transportation.

Kochi Water Metro Route Features

• There are 78 electric boats under the Kochi Water Metro project.
• Passengers can use the Kochi 1 card to travel in Kochi Metro and Water Metro services. The facility of digitally booking the tickets will also be available to them.
• The boats of Kochi Water Metro, costing Rs 7 crore each, have been designed as coaches of Kochi Metro.
• The boat terminals, ticket counters, passenger entry and exit gates, and safety measures are similar to those of the metro rail service.
• Unlike traditional ferries, battery-powered boats are non-polluting, noise-free, and produce low waves. Boat re-charging facilities are available in all terminals.
• The boats feature aluminium-catamaran hulls and can travel up to a speed of 8 nautical miles per hour.
• They come with a seating capacity of 50 and can carry 100 passengers.
• The jetties have electronic display boards about the boat services. Announcements in the metro will be made in English, Hindi, and Malayalam when the services operate in full swing.

Kochi Metro Route

Kochi Metro Phase 1 (Operational)

Kochi Metro phase 1 is a fully elevated metro line that connects Aluva to Petta and spans a total length of 25.16 kilometers. There are 22 metro stations in the Kochi Metro phase 1 line. The final stretch of 1.33 kilometers from Thaikoodam and Petta was opened to the public in September 2020.

Kochi Metro Phase 1A (Under-Construction)

The Kochi metro’s total length for Phase 1A and Phase 1B is 2.94 kilometers. Phase 1A of the Kochi Metro network will cover a length of 1.78 kilometers, linking Petta to SN Junction. Developed at a cost of Rs 299.87 crores, the Phase 1A extension of the project includes two stretches – from Petta to SN Junction, comprising two stations namely Vadakkekotta and SN Junction and a new Panamkutty bridge that is under construction.

Kochi Metro Phase 1B (Under-Construction)

Phase 1B extension of the metro network will connect SN Junction to Thirupunithura Terminal, with a length of 1.16 kilometers. This Kochi metro route will be developed at an estimated cost of Rs 162.98 crores.

Kochi Metro Phase 2 (Approved)

The Kochi metro phase 2 will run from JLN Stadium to Infopark, covering a total length of 11.2 kilometers. It will be an elevated route comprising 11 metro stations on an elevated route, extending up to Kakkanad, a major residential and commercial hub including an SEZ. Under the Union Budget 2021, Rs 1,957.05 crores was allocated for this project. This phase will incorporate multi-model integration by seamlessly connecting the metro line with the water transport-ferry system, bus system, bicycle parking, etc.

The Kerala Government has approved an amount of Rs 378.57 crore for phase 2 of the Kochi Metro Rail project. The funds will be utilized for the development of the 11.8-kilometer Pink line connecting Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium (JLN) to Kakkanad via Info Park, state finance minister K N Balagopal said in a statement as mentioned in media reports. Further, as per a TOI report, the state government has approved additional funds of Rs 24 crore for the preparatory works from JLN stadium to Palarivattom.

Funding agency, Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB), will allocate Rs 1,016.24 crore at an interest rate of 3%. An amount of Rs 46.88 crore will be obtained through the public-private partnership (PPP) model.

Kochi Metro Phase 3 (Planned)

Under the Kochi Metro phase 3 project, there are plans to extend the route from Aluva to Angamaly. The metro line will be connected to the Cochin International Airport at Nedumbassery.

Kochi Metro Fares

The fare for Kochi Metro line 1 ranges from a minimum of Rs 10 up to Rs 60, depending on the distance covered. One metro ticket will be valid for a duration of up to 90 minutes, within which a passenger should exit the automatic gate.

Construction Timeline

• July 2012: Union cabinet approves the Rs 5,126-crore Kochi Metro project.
• June 2013: Construction work for Phase 1 begins.
• June 2017: Phase 1 inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
• October 2017: The 5-km stretch from Palarivattom to Maharaja’s College Metro Station is inaugurated.
• July 2018: Phase 2 is approved by the Kerala government.
• September 2019: The 5.65-km stretch from Maharaja’s College to Thaikoodam is inaugurated.
• September 2020: Phase 1 of the Kochi Metro becomes fully operational.

Important Facts About Kochi Metro Rail Ltd

• The Kochi Metro project is the eighth inter-city metro rail project in India.
• The total cost of the Kochi Metro phase 1 network, spanning a total length of 25.16 kilometers, is Rs 6218 crores.
• The Kochi Metro Rail Limited (KMRL), which is also the implementing agency for Kochi Water Metro, is responsible for managing the train operations.
• It will be the first metro rail project that will be commissioned with an advanced communication-based train control (CBTC) signaling system.
• Phase 1 of the Kochi Metro project was completed in a record time of less than four years since its construction started.
• It is equipped with advanced facilities, including an automatic fare collection system, free Wi-Fi, facilities for the differently-abled, etc.
• Kochi Metro is the only metro in India to have USB charging ports inside trains.
• The stations have been designed based on different themes, such as the heritage of Kerala, arts, culture, etc.
• The KMRL has tied up with agencies for delivering feeder bus services to commuters.
• The Delhi Metro Rail Corporation has been entrusted with the task of preparing the Detailed Project Report (DPR) for the Kochi Metro project.

Kochi Metro Rail Project Cost

The phase 1 corridor of the Kochi Metro project, covering around 25 km, is being developed at an overall cost of Rs 6,218 crores. The phase 2 corridor of over 11 km will be developed at the cost of Rs 1,957 crore.

According to the government’s funding pattern for Kochi Metro phase 2, the Centre and state governments will contribute Rs 274.90 crore as equity in the metro project. Further, the Centre and the state government will contribute Rs 63.85 crore each (3.77%) as subordinate debt for 50% of central taxes to the phase 2 project. A loan from multilateral agencies will amount to Rs 1,016.24 crore (60%). The overall cost will be Rs 1,693.74 crore, excluding land, resettlement, rehabilitation, etc.

The Kochi Water Metro project was developed at a cost of Rs 1,136.83 crore, funded by the Kerala government and Kreditanstalt für Wiederaufbau (KfW), a German funding agency.

After the final stretch from Petta to Thaikoodam became operational in September 2020, the daily rid