Kochi Metro second phase work back on track

With the Kerala Infrastructure Investment Fund Board (KIIFB) giving cash for land purchase, the foundation for Kochi Metro Rail Limited's Phase 2 on the Infopark-JLN Stadium stretch has advanced. Due to ongoing road widening projects, considerable preparation work has been unable to be done for the past two to three months. According to a KMRL official, The fund allocations came at the opportune time to keep the project on schedule. The geotechnical survey is being conducted concurrently with the payment of compensation to the owners of the property that was purchased for the widening of the road, the official continued. According to the official, the geotechnical survey, which offers recommendations for foundation needs after examining the soil's physical characteristics, is expected to be finished by the end of February. The land purchase along the length from Palarivattom to Infopark has been completed to almost 90%. Within six months, the remaining work will be finished, he promised. The nine metro stations in Phase 2 would need the construction of about 1.714 hectares. This comprises parts of Kakkanad, Vazhakkala, and Edapally South. Costs for Phase 2 are projected to be $19.570 billion. The French Development Bank has opted against lending money for the KMRL Phase 2 project. The work, according to KMRL officials, has not been impacted because they have nominated several funding agencies for the project, including foreign organisations. After receiving official approval, information about this will be made public.