Cochin International Airport (CIAL) and Kochi Metro Rail (KMRL) are expected to collaborate on the construction of the proposed underground metro line and station at Nedumbassery. KMRL plans to develop a 3 km long underground metro line at Nedumbassery, with an underground station that will be connected to the airport as part of the proposed Phase III, aimed at connecting Aluva to Angamaly.

The proposed underground station is designed to be similar to the Airport Express Line of the Delhi Metro or the Orange Line from New Delhi to Yashobhoomi Dwarka Sector-25, which connects to the Indira Gandhi International Airport. Considering the significant cost involved in the construction of underground rail lines and stations, KMRL has sought CIAL’s cooperation in the project. According to sources, ongoing discussions between KMRL officials and CIAL stakeholders have resulted in positive developments.

According to the proposed Phase III project of Kochi Metro, the extension line will start from Aluva and follow National Highway-544 till it reaches Aleena Valavu near Akaparambu. The route will then continue along the Kariyad-Airport-Mattoor road to Nedumbassery International Airport. From there it will continue along the Angamaly-Airport road to MC Road, extending along MC Road till Angamaly. From the junction at MC Road in Angamaly, the metro line will head towards Thrissur, extending for about 2 km along NH-544.

A senior KMRL official noted that the total construction cost for the Phase-III line is estimated to be around Rs 80 billion. While the construction of the underground line is costly, they expect CIAL to contribute around Rs 10 billion towards the construction of the underground structures, with the state government acting as the executing agency. KMRL has submitted the project proposal for the Phase-III extension of Kochi Metro to the Union Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MOHUA), and final approval is expected soon.