KOCHI: The first phase of Kochi Metro Rail up to Palarivattom will be ready for commissioning by the end of March.
Now, the ball’s in the state government’s court. It has to take the final call on the partial commissioning of the project up to Palarivattom since the Chief Minister had earlier instructed the Metro rail officials to look into the possibilities of commissioning the project up to Maharajah’s College Ground in the first phase.
A clear picture in this regard is likely to evolve on Tuesday as E Sreedharan, the principal adviser to DMRC is scheduled to meet the Chief Minister in Thiruvanathapuram.
Last week, the Metro man had conducted a trolley inspection of the metro rail tracks and later expressed his confidence regarding completion of the civil works up to Palarivattom by March.
Regarding the progress of the Metro work, the DMRC officials said that the traction work between Aluva and Palarivattom has been already completed.
The signal trial between Aluva and Palarivattom is also on full swing. The signals and points are being operated from the Muttom yard. They also expressed confidence that the work of the Metro stations along the stretch will also be completed by March.
The lift and escalators have already been installed in most of the stations except Edappally and Changampuzha Park.
Major stations between Aluva and Palarivattom are Pulinchodu, Companyppady, Ambattukavu, Muttom, Kalamassery, Cusat, Pathadippalam, Edappally and Changampuzha park. The electrical and air conditioning works of the stations are in different stages of completion.
At some stations like Kalamassery and Cusat, the works are nearly completed. 90 per cent of the civil works are also finished, said DMRC officials.
The ticketing and signage works undertaken by KMRL is also progressing on war footing. KMRL officials also said that the smart card for Metro rail travel is also ready. The cards will be launched two to three weeks before the commissioning.
KMRL is awaiting government’s decision to confirm the commissioning of the first phase up to Palarivattom.
At the last review meeting of Kochi Metro Rail project, the CM had asked DMRC officials to consider extending the first phase of the project to Maharaja’s College ground.
A reason cited by Pinarayi is apprehensions over traffic snarls which will be caused by people getting down at Palarivattom station.