The second stretch of the Kochi Metro in the Indian state of Kerala has begun operations, providing rail services from Palarivattom to Maharaja's College ground.
The new line was opened by Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan under the presence of Union Minister of State for Housing and Urban Development Hardeep Singh Puri.
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Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi previously inaugurated the first phase of the metro line in June, following a five-year construction period that began in 2012, reported PTI.
Kochi Metro phase one runs between Aluva and Palarivattom, covering a distance of roughly 13.26km
Kochi Metro now covers a distance of nearly 18km from Aluva to Maharaja's College station with the opening of the second stretch. The newly operational section comprises a total of five stations.
Puri told media sources: “With the commissioning of the 5km stretch today, Kochi Metro operation of metro rail in the country has come to 383km.”
He noted that India's total rail network is slated to reach a total of 600km in the next two years.
Vijayan requested the support of the union government to complete the Kochi Metro up to Petta and then to Tripunithura.
An extension of metro rail services to IT hub Kakkanad is also expected to be taken up, the chief minister said.
The Indian Government is also considering implementing metro rail services to Nedumbassery International Airport from Aluva in future.
