KOCHI: The Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) has approved a loan of Rs 914 crore for the second phase of construction work on the Kochi Metro. This funding from the Beijing-headquartered agency will support the construction of the new line from JLN Stadium to Infopark (christened Pink Line).
The managing director of Kochi Metro Rail Limited (KMRL), Loknath Behera, said KMRL will sign a contract with the agency in Oct. As the funding procedures were delayed, the KMRL had started the initial works of the construction with funds sanctioned by the state govt in July first week.
Afcons Infrastructure Ltd has been awarded the contract for constructing the 11.2km viaduct for the Pink Line, with a contract value of Rs 1,141 crore. The total cost of the Pink Line project is Rs 1,957 crore, and the construction is scheduled to be completed within 20 months.
If the 11.2km construction works can be completed within 20 months, Kochi Metro will get the title of the fastest metro construction agency in India. The new stations to be constructed are at Palarivattom Junction, Palarivattom Bypass, Chembumukku, Vazhakkala, Padamughal, Kakkanad Junction, Cochin SEZ, Chittethukara, KINFRA, and Infopark.
The KMRL, which is aiming to finish the civil construction work of the Pink Line in 20 months, is also planning to complete the system and signalling works within another four months.
