CMRS Approves Kochi Metro’s Aluva – Palarivattom Section
The Commissioner of Metro Rail Safety (CMRS) from the railways’ southern circle has given its final approval to the Kochi Metro Rail Ltd (KMRL) for starting commercial services on the 27.6 km Line-1’s 1st 13 km stretch between Aluva and Palarivattom. This approval comes with a list of conditions which would have to be implemented prior to starting commercial operations. The list includes correction to the security cameras’ positioning, completion of the installation of the passenger information system, and the completion of stations’ interiors & entrances.
This formal approval comes just a couple days after the CMRS, KA Manoharan, and his team conducted a 3-day visual inspection of the line between May 3-5 to check how fit it is to run safe commercial operations. The KMRL hasn’t officially disclosed their daily operational plan, but most likely trains will initially run at a frequency of every 10 minutes through 11 stations located at Aluva, Pulinchodu, Companypady, Ambattukavu, Muttom, Kalamassery, CUSAT, Pathadipalam, Edapally, Changampuzha Park and Palarivattom:
Aluva – Palarivottom section – View Kochi Metro map and information
Press conference at the end of Day-3:
Images from Day-1 can be view in this post. Here are some images from Day-2 & Day-3:
Photo Copyright: KMRL
Photo Copyright: KMRL
Photo Copyright: KMRL
Photo Copyright: KMRL
Photo Copyright: KMRL
Inspection of tracks at Muttom – Photo Copyright: KMRL
Photo Copyright: KMRL
Local news coverage on the CMRS’ approval:
This week, KMRL will launch ‘service trials’ with employees & various contractors’ staff to simulate a typical journey. This includes buying tickets (RFID tokens, QR code paper slips), passing through the AFC gates, hearing announcements, traveling through the line and exiting the system.
The KMRL hopes to launch operations on the line by the end of May, but it’s opening is entirely dependent on how quickly the CMRS’ conditions are implemented, how quickly all stations’ interior and entry/exit structures are ready, and lastly on the availability of local ministers to attend its inauguration. KMRL has also sent an invite to Prime Minister Narendra Modi through the Chief Minister’s Office, but is currently waiting to hear back on his response and available dates.
For more updates, check out the Kochi section of The Metro Rail Guy!
– TMRG
It is frustrating to see Hyderabad Metro’s 2 lines getting cmrs approval before Kochi but not starting!! KCR are you listening?
and there is no confirmation when it will start, it is getting delayed for 2 years.
I am now excited like a child….. waiting for inauguration day..
A small correction. There are 11 stations. You missed out Pathadipaalam
You’re right! That station was supposed to be built in the future, but looks like they built it in this phase itself. I’ve now added it in – thanks.
When is the inauguration of this line? It has been about 15 days since the CMRS approval came in?