Kochi Metro Rail (KMRL) has reported significant progress in the construction of the Kochi Metro Phase-II, particularly in girder production for the 11.2-km Pink Line connecting JLN Stadium to Infopark.

A casting yard spread over 8.85 hectares in Kalamassery has become the centre of operations, expediting the manufacturing of superstructure components such as pier caps and girders. This strategic move marks a departure from Phase-I, as components above the piers for station construction are now being manufactured at the casting yard, significantly enhancing construction speed. the casting of four pier caps and four U-girders has already been completed.

The yard is divided into two sections - one dedicated to U-girders using four 100-ton gantry cranes, and another producing I-girders, pier caps, parapets, T-girders and L-girders using six gantry cranes. These include cranes with capacities of 10, 60, 100, and 120 tonne. KMRL also highlighted that a quality control laboratory and a concrete batching lab have been set up at the yard to maintain high standards. In addition, a concrete waste recycling plant has been installed to minimise environmental impact.

Phase-II involves the manufacturing of 500 U-girders, 580 I-girders, and 354 pier caps for the viaduct. For station construction, the plan includes 100 U-girders, 120 pier arms, 400 T-girders and 200 L-girders. KMRL confirmed that 307 piles have already been installed as part of the Phase-II works. The viaduct construction contract has been awarded to Afcons, with a stipulated duration of 20 months.