Kochi Metro's ambitious Phase II project, which was originally promised to be commissioned in December 2025, is now expected to be delayed by more than one-and-a-half years. The project, connecting Jawaharlal Nehru (JLN) Stadium to Infopark via Kakkanad, has faced multiple challenges. Kochi Metro Rail Ltd (KMRL) officially stated that it aims to complete civil works by June 2027, with final testing, system integration, and official commissioning rescheduled for August 2027.
Reasons for Delay
A primary reason for the delay is the time taken to obtain state government approval for external funding of Rs 1,116 crore from the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB). KMRL noted that the project financing process involved approvals from multiple agencies, and the sanction of external funding took nearly one-and-a-half years to materialize.
Additionally, KMRL faced a roadblock when its proposal for Rs 7 crore to strengthen side roads used for traffic diversions was denied dedicated funding. Severe utility hurdles required multi-agency coordination and innovative design modifications.
Challenging Stretches
One of the most challenging sections was the Civil Lane corridor between Pipeline Junction and Padamughal, where an Indian Oil Adani Gas Pipeline impacted construction. After its relocation on January 1, 2026, piling and pier construction activities were completed.
Land acquisition also proved problematic on the JLN Stadium-Palarivattom stretch. Required land was handed over in stages from December 2024, with final parcels cleared only in March 2026 due to court proceedings. This section required relocation of critical KWA water mains and KSEB high-voltage lines, including 220kV and 11kV networks.
Progress Despite Hurdles
Despite these obstacles, the 10.58-km elevated viaduct project has achieved substantial physical progress within two years of awarding the major civil contract to AFCONS Infrastructure Limited in June 2024, according to a KMRL official.
Currently, all foundation piling and pile cap works for the 10 upcoming stations are complete. Additionally, 85% of viaduct piling is finished, and 3.5 km of the superstructure is ready for track laying. Construction is moving at a steady pace of 25 to 30 meters per day, a rate expected to accelerate after the monsoon season.
KMRL has also finalized parallel system contracts for track work, power supply, signalling, and telecommunications.
Traffic Impact
Ongoing construction on the JLN Stadium-Palarivattom stretch has caused severe traffic jams, with only one-lane traffic possible in both directions. Weekly review meetings involving all stakeholders are being conducted to assess progress and resolve issues promptly. During the monsoon period, reviews are held even more frequently to ensure uninterrupted progress.
D Dhanuraj, Chairperson of the Centre for Public Policy Research, urged authorities to complete the crucial Pink Line without further delays to avoid cost escalation.
