KOCHI (Metro Rail News): Vandana P S of Palarivatom and George C G of Ernakulam South, two metro commuters, achieved a rare feat by inaugurating the new Metro station building at Ernakulam South Metro Station, the tallest building along the alignment. 
”Kochi Metro invited two of its passengers to inaugurate the Building at the left side of the alignment (from Aluva side). Though the South Metro Station was inaugurated in last September only one side of the metro station was working and construction was progressing on the other side. The new South Metro station building is the tallest metro building and it consists of twelve floors. The building is 56 metres high. The Metro station has an area of 5400 sqm for transit area and property development of about 6000sqm above the platform which is suitable for various businesses. KMRL is also planning to construct a multi-level car parking facility there”, it said.

“It’s a great gesture. I was surprised when people from the metro asked me to be a guest and cut the ribbon. I used to ride the metro every other day, so it’s a special day for me” said Vandana. George also expressed his happiness.
“Kochi Metro is for the people of Kochi so we thought it appropriate to request a metro traveller to inaugurate a new station building. Vandana is a young professional while George is a local resident. We are happy and proud that they accepted our invitation to cut the ribbon.” said Additional Chief Secretary Alkesh Kumar Sharma IAS, MD of KMRL.
Vandana reached the Metro Station to travel to her house at Palarivattom while George was on his way to Vyttila. George is a resident of Ernakulam South and he is running a hotel there. Vandana meanwhile is a counsellor by profession. 
Kochi Metro already has constructed an access road to MG Road with a pedestrian walkway and a plaza at Jos junction as part of the Kochi Metro’s Urban placemaking initiatives.

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KOCHI (Metro Rail News): Kochi Metro Rail Limited has completed the piling works of the viaduct from Petta to SN Junction, the Phase 1 A of Kochi Metro. A total of 259 viaduct piles are completed and piling for the SN Junction Metro Station is also completed.
“Kochi Metro MD Alkesh Kumar Sharma IAS inspected the worksite. He also inspected the ongoing construction work at Panamkutty Bridge. He reviewed the progress and urged the contractor to speed up the work. Top officials of KMRL also accompanied him during the site inspection”, the KMRL said in a statement. 

The Phase I (A) Extension of Kochi Metro consists of two Stretches, first from Petta to SN Junction including 2 Stations viz Vadakkekotta and SN Junction & Panamkutty Bridge to be constructed at a cost of Rs.299.87 crores. 
Phase 1(B) extension from Sn Junction to Thripunithura includes one station of Thrippunithura Terminal (Phase IB) with a cost of Rs 162.98 crores. The tender for the stretch from SN Junction to Thrippunithura Terminal was called on May 18, 2020. The tender was opened on July 14, 2020, and successfully awarded to M/s KEC – VNC JV within the shortest period of 20 days. The work commenced on September 25, 2020. KMRL has completed seven Piles in the stretch so far.  
The construction of Panamkutty bridge is also progressing fast. As part of its Preparatory works in line with Phase I Extension from Petta to Thrippunithura, KMRL is constructing an additional two-lane Bridge with a footpath which will make the stretch into Four-lane corridor (two bridges) once completed. The bridge consists of 5 spans. The total length including approach road is 250m in which around 70m is across Poorna River. Approximate Cost of Construction – 17.2 Cr and the expected completion date is December 2020. 

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