KOCHI: Work on Kochi Metro phase 2, which has been slowed down by power shutdown issues, is expected to gather steam with a casting yard being set up on nine hectares at HMT Kalamassery. Additional resources are also being mobilised to complete the project within two years, a senior metro official told TNIE.
The road widening and metro work in the Vazhakkala area requires periodic power shutdowns for the shifting of electric posts. While the KSEB has been shutting down power once in a week, the schedule has resulted in a slower pace of work.
“Efforts are on to coordinate closely with the KSEB, and we expect the situation to improve within a month,” the metro official said.
The Kochi Metro phase 2 project involves the setting up of a line from the JLN Stadium station to Infopark via Kakkanad, at a cost of Rs 1,957.05 crore. The 11.17-km line will have 11 stations -- Jawaharlal Nehru (JLN) Stadium, Palarivattom Junction, Palarivattom Bypass, Chembumukku, Vazhakkala, Padamughal, Civil Station Jn, Cochin SEZ, Chittethukara, Kinfra and Infopark.
Currently, 43% of the structural work for the entry/exit buildings of Cochin SEZ and Civil Station Jn and 18 % of the structural work of Chittethukara, KINFRA Park and Infopark stations have been completed. Piling for the viaduct has also commenced at the Cochin SEZ station site.
Measures to expedite construction activities
The development of the casting yard at HMT is in full swing. “This is to facilitate quick manufacturing of precast elements, which form nearly 60 to 70% of the structural members required for Phase 2 metro viaduct and station construction. Besides, the contractor – M/s Afcons – is mobilising additional resources required to expedite the work and complete it within the stipulated time period,” the metro official said.
Work is progressing all along the alignment from JLN Stadium to Infopark, he pointed out.
Viaduct above the Palarivattom flyover highest section on the stretch A special steel span of 60 metres will be constructed to facilitate the metro viaduct crossing above the Palarivattom flyover. “It will be one of the highest sections on the Phase 2 line,” the official said.
The construction of Kochi Metro phase 2 – named the Pink Line – is being expedited to cater to the ever-expanding Infopark campus, home to growing IT ventures.