2013 was not a year of promises for Kochi city but it witnessed the commencement of many developmental projects. Projects that will not only change the face of the city but also the state as well.
Kochi made a big leap by launching the Kochi Metro Rail construction in June 2013. The city’s dream project, with a total cost of `5,537 crore, is expected to be completed by June 2016. The people in the city are witnessing wonders as part of the ongoing Kochi Metro rail construction. Two rail overbridges, the AL Jacob ROB and North ROB, were completed in record time.
The work of A L Jacob ROB began on October 2011 and was inaugurated on May 21, 2013.
The construction of North ROB commenced on November 2011 and was completed on December 2013. In the infrastructure front, Edappally flyover and Ponnurunni ROB are the other two mega projects in the city.
Giving a major boost to the water service sector in the city, Vyttila-Kakkanad boat service was kicked off in November 2013. This is the first such service on the route.
The Prime Minister laid the foundation stone for the `20,000-crore Integrated Refinery Expansion Project that envisages increase in the refining capacity of BPCL-Kochi Refinery from the present 9.5 million tonnes to 15.5 million tonnes, in January 2013. It is a mega project set to change the industrial scenario of the city. The project is expected to be completed in 2015.
The Liquefied Natural Gas terminal of Petronet LNG was commissioned in August 2013 and the commercial supply of the gas has commenced.
On the whole, 2013 witnessed the commencement of various projects that will change the prospects of not only Kochi city but the state also.