The Cabinet has given its clearance for the extension of Kochi Metro Rail from Petta to Tripunithura to be included in Phase-I of the project, which will come up at Kochi, in Ernakulam district of Kerala.

The project has been undertaken by Kochi Metro Rail (KMRL). Apart from giving approval, the Cabinet has sanctioned an amount of Rs 323 crore for the expansion of the stretch.

The feasibility study for the extended project will be conducted by the Rail India Technical and Economic Services (RITES) and the detailed project report (DPR) for Phase-I of the project is likely to be submitted by May 2014.

Though the Cabinet has given its approval for the project, the necessary approvals from the central Public Investment Board and the ministerial level, high power committee are still pending.

After the extension of the metro project from Petta to SN Junction in Tripunithura, the total stretch of Phase-I will be 27 km. Earlier, the stretch for Phase-I of the project was proposed from Aluva to Thripunithura, with a length of 25.253 km.

With the extension of Phase-I, there are two more stops included -- one at the Alliance Junction, and the other at SN Junction. Work on the extended stretch is expected to be completed in a few months, once the Aluva-Petta alignment stretch is completed.

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