Kochi (Kerala) [India], September 8 (ANI): Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Monday inaugurated the final stretch of the Phase-I construction of the Kochi metro's Thykoodam-Petta stretch via video conferencing. The inauguration was presided by Union Minister Hardeep Singh Puri.

Phase-1 of the Kochi Metro is now complete at a cost of Rs 6218 crores, Puri said. He further said that the proposal for Phase-2 of Kochi Metro is under active consideration of Govt of India and would be approved soon.

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Addressing at the launch, Puri urged the people of the country to travel responsibly while adhering to various SOPs issued in different states for metro operations.

Kerala CM flagged off the train from Petta at 12.30 pm. The commencement of civil works from SN Junction to Thrippunithura by unveiling the plaques was also done.

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Meanwhile, Durga Shanker Mishra, Secretary, MoHua congratulated the Kerala government and the people of Kerala for the completion of phase 1 of Kochi metro.

Kochi Metro has dedicated walls at Petta station, which is newly built for the fishermen community who saved thousands during the 2018 Kerala floods.

Commissioner of Metro Railway Safety (CMRS) had approved the opening of Petta metro station back in May 2020. Kochi Metro Rail Ltd (KMRL) had completed the works of Petta station way back in March itself but the commissioning was delayed due to COVID19 lockdown. (ANI)

(The above story is verified and authored by ANI staff, ANI is South Asia's leading multimedia news agency with over 100 bureaus in India, South Asia and across the globe. ANI brings the latest news on Politics and Current Affairs in India & around the World, Sports, Health, Fitness, Entertainment, & News. The views appearing in the above post do not reflect the opinions of LatestLY)