New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who is on a 2-day visit to Kerala, on Thursday laid the foundation stone for the second phase of Kochi Metro. Along with this, he also launched the first phase of Kochi Metro, which is built from SN Junction to Vadakkekotta. The total cost of the project is over Rs 700 crores. Kochi Metro Rail project will be one of the most sustainable metro projects in the country with nearly 55% of its energy needs being met by solar power, as reported by PIB.
"Tourism and trade get the most benefit from modern and better connectivity. The development of tourism will help in the development of the country," said PM Modi.
"In the last eight years, the Central Government has continuously worked to make the metro rail the most prominent mode of urban transport," added PM.
The proposed Phase 2 project corridor of Kochi Metro Rail from JLN Stadium Metro Station to Infopark, Kakkanad will be 11.2 km in length, with 11 metro stations. The Phase 1 extension is the first section of the work directly undertaken by Kochi Metro Rail Limited.
After its inauguration, the Kochi Metro will cover a distance of at least 27 km with 24 stations. The revenue operations of both the stations will start at 7 pm, soon after PM Modi dedicated the station to the people of Kochi. The Commissioner of Metro Rail Safety after the inspection approved the revenue operation of the Petta-SN Junction section.
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In 2014, only 5 cities had a Metro network while today 20 cities have a Metro network.
In 2014, the total Metro network in the country was 248kms. Today, the total Metro network in the country is 775 kms. Another 1000kms of the metro network is under construction.
PM Modi will visit Kochi for the commissioning of the first indigenous aircraft carrier INS Vikrant at the Cochin Shipyard Limited in Kochi on September 2 and will inaugurate and lay the foundation stones for projects worth about Rs 3,800 crore in Mangaluru.
The ceremony will be held at the Cochin International Airport Limited (CIAL) Trade Fair and Exhibition Center in the presence of Kerala Governor Arif Mohammad Khan and Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan. Mayor M Anil Kumar, MP Hibi Eden, Antony Raju (Transport Minister), and P Rajeev (Industry, Law and Coir Minister) will make their presence at the function.