Major Milestones of Kochi Metro

Yes, at last a dream comes true! Kerala joins the list of states which owns metro stations. With the lightning speed in the field of transport and communication, Kochi has far advanced and placed its name in the list of fastest growing cities of India. The project was ideated in the year 1999, RITES was assigned for the feasibility study for a metro rapid transport system in Kochi the same year and techno-feasibility study report was submitted the same year. What were the major milestones to achieve the pre-set goals? Have a look.

June 21, 2001 – Metro rail is the best option for Kochi – these words were pronounced by Metro Man E. Sreedharan.

December 22, 2004 – Backing Sreedharan’s words, state government ruled by UDF decided to put forward the project.

December 24, 2004 – For the feasibility study, the project was assigned to Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC).

October 19, 2005 – DMRC was appointed as Kochi Metro Consultant.

January 15, 2006 – International tenders were invited for the construction work.

August 2, 2011 – Kochi Metro Rail Limited (KMRL) was formed to control and supervise the whole system.

March 22, 2012 – A board was organized to include public fund.

July 12, 2012 – The project was sanctioned by central government using a total expense of 5181 crore Indian rupees.

September 13, 2012 – The foundation stone of the project was laid by then Prime Minister of India, Manmohan Singh.

October 17, 2012 – State Government headed under Oommen Chandy gave its final word to give the project to DMRC, after a lot of controversies faced. Chandy decided to go with E Sreedharan and DMRC and rejected suggestions to invite global tenders.

March 18, 2013 – The first batch of French Agency reached Kochi for discussions related to funding of the project.

April 4, 2013 – A contract was signed between DMRC and KMRL Director Board.

June 7, 2013 – Construction work of Kochi Metro was inaugurated by then Chief Minister of Kerala, Oommen Chandy. First piling work was started at Edapally.

September 30, 2013 – Construction of first metro station started at Kaloor, Kochi.

December 29, 2013 – North over bridge was inaugurated.

March 5, 2014 – Thripunithura route was sanctioned by state government.

July 20, 2014 – A contract was signed by KMRL with Canara Bank to fund 1170 Crore rupees for Metro project.

March 21, 2015 – Manufacturing of coaches of metro trains was started in Alstom India at Sree City of Andhra Pardesh.

May 20, 2015 – Government sanctioned the extension of metro rail to Kakkanad.

June 11, 2015 – A contract was signed with Axis Bank for Automatic Ticket Collection.

September 3, 2015 – KMRL’s Logo and model of metro coaches were displayed.

January 8, 2016 – Central Government sanctioned Water transport development project associated with Kochi Metro.

January 10, 2016 – For test run, first coaches reached Kochi.

January 23, 2016 – Test run was conducted on a special track laid in Muttom Yard.

February 27, 2016 – First sky travel from Muttam Yard to Kalamasseri Station.

July 23, 2016 – Water metro, Panampilly Nagar Footpath and Cycle track were inaugurated.

September 11, 2016 – Over bridge at Edapally was inaugurated.  

September 22, 2016 – Test run from Muttam to Palarivattom.

January 10, 2017 – Metro Rail Safety Commission examined the functioning and safety measures at Aluva-Palarivattom route of metro rail.

May 8, 2017 – Metro Rail Safety Commission approved and certified the project. Certificate was given for normal train services.

May 11, 2017 – Service trails started just before the real functioning of the metro.

June 17, 2017 – Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated Kochi Metro and opened it to public.  

Also read: The detailed description of the facilities of Kochi metro trains and stations.

Read a few more articles on Kochi. Here is the page link. Click on the images in the gallery to read