KOCHI: In a major step towards commencing procedures for Phase III Metro line connecting Aluva with Angamaly via airport, Kochi Metro Rail Ltd (KMRL) issued a request for proposal (RFP) seeking consultancy services for the preparation of a detailed project report (DPR) for the proposed line.
Procedures to appoint a DPR consultancy began after urban transport division of ministry of housing and urban affairs (MoHUA) granted in-principle approval for providing central financial assistance (CFA) for preparing DPR.
As per preliminary plan of KMRL, Phase III extension line of Metro will start from Aluva and continue on national highway 544 until Aleena Valavu area near Akaparambu. It then goes through Kariyad-Airport-Mattoor Road to airport. From airport, it continues on Angamaly-Airport Road to MC Road and will continue on MC Road until Angamaly. From MC Road Junction in Angamaly, Metro line will proceed further towards Thrissur side, around 2km on NH 544.
The 18-km long line would have around 15 stations. KMRL has decided to construct a 3-km long underground Metro line and station in Nedumbassery.
As per RFP documents, feasibility of implementing Phase III corridor as a new line (independent line) rather than an extension of the existing line (Tripunithura to Aluva) will be studied.
DPR consultant will also study feasibility of using rolling stock different from those being used in Phase I and II corridors. Provision for future extension of Phase III corridor to the proposed Kochi GIFT City at Ayyampuzha in the Kochi-Bengaluru Industrial Corridor should be studied, says the RFP document.
