KOCHI: Cochin International Airport Ltd (Cial) and Kochi Metro Rail Ltd (KMRL) are likely to join hands to construct the proposed underground metro rail line and station at Nedumbassery.
KMRL is planning to construct a 3km underground metro line at Nedumbassery with an underground station attached to the airport, as part of its proposed Phase-III connecting Aluva with Angamaly. The proposed underground station is similar to Delhi Metro’s Airport Express Line or Orange Line from New Delhi to Yashobhoomi Dwarka Sector-25, linking Indira Gandhi International Airport.
Given the high cost of constructing underground rail lines and stations, KMRL urged Cial to collaborate on the project. Talks are ongoing between KMRL officials and Cial stakeholders, and things are now positive, sources said.
As per Kochi Metro‘s proposed Phase-III project, the extension line will start from Aluva and continue on National Highway-544 till the Aleena Valavu near Akaparambu. It then passes through Kariyad-Airport-Mattoor road to Nedumbassery international airport. From the airport, it continues on Angamaly-Airport road to MC road and will continue on MC road till Angamaly. From MC road junction at Angamaly, the metro line will proceed towards Thrissur side, around 2km on NH-544.
“The total construction cost of Phase-III line is estimated around Rs 8,000 crore. Construction of the underground line is expensive, but we expect Cial to contribute around Rs 1,000 crore to construct underground structures. State govt is the implementing agency,” said a top KMRL official.
KMRL submitted the project proposal for Phase-III extension of Kochi Metro to Union ministry of housing and urban affairs (MOHUA), and final approval is expected anytime soon. “Cial director board needs to discuss the proposal of cost sharing before any approval is given,” said industries minister P Rajeeve, who is also one of the directors of Cial.
Meanwhile, there are concerns over the project’s profitability. D Dhanuraj of Centre for Public Policy and Research (CPPR) said KMRL should examine the project’s profitability before spending huge amounts for Phase-III line, including constructing the underground metro station.
“Authorities are yet to address the long-standing demand for direct connectivity between the airport and existing railway stations at Aluva and Angamaly. Instead of investing thousands of crores in constructing metro lines and underground stations, they should first develop Nedumbassery region as a thriving township. Only then can we ensure a steady footfall on the metro, making the project profitable,” he said.
