Kochi Metro Pauses Work for Rs 50 Million Pipeline Shift

15 Sep 2025 CW Team

Kochi Metro Rail Limited (KMRL) will pause its piling works in the Padamugal and Vazhakkala regions for ten days to allow the Kerala Water Authority (KWA) to complete its pipeline relocation work.

The decision follows frequent pipe bursts in the area and disruptions to water supply in Thrikkakara municipality.

During this period, the KWA will carry out pipeline relocation from Kunnumpuram to Kumaranasan Road. KMRL will resume piling work only after the pipeline has been relocated and tested.

The decision was made during a meeting between KMRL and KWA to address the recurring pipe burst issues in the municipality. KWA announced that the pipe replacement work would be completed within ten days. Once the relocation and testing are finalised, piling works will recommence, a KMRL official said.

A KWA official added that the pipeline relocation would provide a permanent solution to the problem. “A lot of cables belonging to various agencies are hindering the commissioning of the already laid PVC line of KWA through the utility duct. The duct is packed with cables although the utility corridor was provided solely for KWA,” the official explained.

KMRL has invested Rs 50 million in replacing old pipelines. As part of the project, Ductile Iron and PVC pipes are being installed to replace ageing infrastructure.

Frequent pipe bursts had caused significant inconvenience to residents, with drinking water supply regularly disrupted. Thrikkakara municipal chairperson Radhamani Pillai said residents had been struggling with an acute water crisis due to the repeated pipe failures.

A KWA official noted that the piling work had begun before the pipelines could be shifted. “The shifting of the pipelines couldn’t be carried out because of the rains. The issue worsened because we were not alerted about these pipe bursts. With the whole area barricaded, there was no way we could know about the incidents,” the official added.

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