Kochi Metro Advances Phase-III Expansion with DPR Work for Aluva–Angamaly Airport Corridor

Kochi Metro Rail Limited has moved a step closer to its next major expansion, beginning work on the Detailed Project Report for the ambitious Phase-III corridor connecting Aluva to Angamaly through Kochi International Airport. The proposed 17.5-kilometre stretch is expected to significantly enhance regional connectivity, especially for daily commuters and air travellers who depend on seamless access between key urban and transport hubs.

The DPR preparation marks a crucial milestone for the project, as it will define the technical, financial and operational framework of the new line. Haryana-based Systra MVA Consulting India, the firm awarded the DPR contract worth approximately ₹1.3 crore, has already started conducting soil investigations and topographic surveys along the proposed route. These studies will help determine the optimal alignment, station locations and construction methodology, including elevated portions and the sections planned underground.

KMRL has emphasised that community participation will be an important part of the planning process. Managing Director Loknath Behera reiterated the agency’s commitment to incorporating public perspectives before finalising the DPR. By inviting suggestions from residents, stakeholder groups and local institutions, the metro authority aims to ensure that the corridor reflects real mobility needs and delivers maximum social and economic value.

The Aluva-Angamaly-Airport link has long been viewed as an essential extension for the Kochi Metro network, given the growing passenger traffic to and from the airport and the region’s rising residential and commercial development. Once completed, the corridor is expected to ease road congestion, reduce travel time and improve last-mile connectivity for thousands of commuters.

The DPR is scheduled for submission within six months, after which KMRL will move into the approval and funding phases. The Phase-III project signals Kochi Metro’s continued commitment to building a future-ready urban transport ecosystem that supports sustainable growth across the wider Ernakulam region.