Kochi metro works will go on, despite lack of mention in Union Budget

Kochi metro's Kakkanad extension progressing on schedule despite lack of specific funds allocation in Union Budget.

The ongoing 11.20-km Kakkanad extension of the Kochi metro is unlikely to suffer delay even as there was no specific mention of the allocation of funds for the mass rapid transport system (MRTS) project in Saturday’s (February 1) Union Budget, it is learnt.

Although more funds are awaited, the ongoing extension and allied works will go on as scheduled based on the share of equity given by the State and Centre during the last fiscal. The funds for the forthcoming fiscal will in all probability be routed through the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs. Further details were awaited, sources said.

The ₹1,957-crore Kakkanad extension is expected to be commissioned by June 2026. The project cost includes expenses for land acquisition, viaduct, stations, and also taxes. While the State government approved the project (christened Pink Line) in 2019, the Centre approved it in 2021.

Meanwhile, funds to procure more ferries and build terminals for the Kochi Water Metro are awaited in the forthcoming State Budget. The Water Metro, the first of its kind under a common command and control system in India, for which many other cities from different States had evinced interest, will benefit from the ₹25,000-crore maritime clusters mulled across the country, it is learnt.