Kochi Metro phase 2 launching in 2026: All you need to know about the Kaloor–Kakkanad Pink Line

Kochi: The Kochi Metro’s much-awaited Pink Line, connecting Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Kaloor to Kakkanad, is expected to begin operations in June 2026, officials announced.

Services will initially start at five stations — Palarivattom Junction, Alinchuvadu, Chembumukku, Vazhakkala, and Padamugal. The remaining five stations — Civil Station Junction, Cochin SEZ, Chittattukara, KINFRA, and Infopark — are scheduled to open by December 2026.

The second phase of the metro spans 11.2 km and is being built at an estimated cost of ₹1,957 crore.

Ridership to rise sharply

Currently, Kochi Metro carries around 30 lakh passengers a month. Officials expect the number to rise to nearly 50 lakh once the Kakkanad corridor becomes operational, given the area’s dense residential and IT hub population.

Construction progress

Of the 2,019 piles required for the second phase, 1,145 have been completed. For the viaduct, 1,651 piles are planned, of which 880 are done. Among station structures, 265 of 368 piles and 165 of 469 pile caps have been completed. In addition, 70 of 469 pillars, 95 of 490 U-girders, 105 of 371 pier caps, and 75 of 534 I-shaped girders are done.

Numbering starts afresh

Metro pillars on the new route will be numbered from one onwards rather than continuing from the existing line, as Kakkanad is treated as a new corridor. The numbered pillars will also serve as location markers for nearby establishments.

Two Palarivattom stations

There will be two Palarivattom stations on different lines. To avoid confusion, the new one will be named Palarivattom Junction, while the existing station on the Aluva line will continue as Palarivattom. The new station is located in front of the Palarivattom Police Station.

Parallel and elevated tracks

The Pink Line will diverge into two tracks after Palarivattom Junction towards Kaloor — one running parallel to the existing metro line and the other above it.

The elevated track will connect to platform one at JLN Stadium Station, while the parallel line will connect to platform two. The track splits into two from Kurishupally in Palarivattom to the stadium in Kaloor.

This dual-track design, proposed by the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC), aims to enable smooth crossings without halting trains arriving from the Aluva direction.

Officials said the arrangement would ensure smoother train movement and improved operational efficiency once the Pink Line is fully functional.