Trial Runs Begin to Kochi Metro’s Tripunithura Terminal (Phase 1B)

Kochi Metro Rail (KMRL) on late Thursday night began trial runs (train testing) on a 1.163 km elevated extension of Kochi Metro’s Blue Line from S.N. Junction Station to Thrippunithura Terminal Station.

KMRL’s team operated Nila – one of their 25 Alstom train-sets at 10 kmph on the line’s viaduct built by KEC International – Vijay Nirman Company (KEC – VMC JV) as part of Kochi Metro Phase 1B project’s Package KAC-4.

As always, the sole objective of the first run was to check for Schedule of Dimensions (SOD) clearances and observe the train’s interaction with the civil structure to ensure there are no physical obstructions along the way.

This is the final section of Kochi Metro’s Blue Line planned to be built for now. KMRL had awarded KEC – VNC JV with its Rs. 162.98 crore construction contract in July 2020 with a deadline of just 20 months.

Piling work for its viaduct and 1 new station at Thrippunithura (Kochi’s 25th station) started in August 2020. The final I-girder was launched in June 2023.

A short video posted by KMRL can be viewed here on Twitter / X. I’d recommend turning down the volume on your speakers before hitting play.

With this milestone recorded I see Kochi Metro’s Phase 1B opening up in Q1 2024, whether Tripunithura Terminal Station is completely ready or not, in the run up to the 2024 General Elections.

After Phase 1B opens, KMRL’s focus will entirely shift towards building 11.2 km Kochi Metro Phase 2 project‘s Pink Line connecting JLN Stadium – Kakkanad – Infopark (Smart City). Bids for its civil construction were invited in September and the current technical bid opening date is December 20.

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– TMRG