Mon Feb 17 19:31:47 UTC 2025: ## Kochi Metro Extension Delayed by Funding Issues
**KOCHI, Kerala – February 18, 2025** – The completion date of the Kochi metro’s Kakkanad extension is in jeopardy due to delays in securing funding. The ₹1,957 crore (approximately $238 million USD) project, which will connect the city to Infopark, is facing setbacks stemming from a delayed loan from the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) and slow disbursement of funds from the state and central governments.
The 11.20 km viaduct, awarded for ₹1,141 crore (approximately $140 million USD), is experiencing stalled progress, leading to criticism amidst growing traffic congestion. While officials expect the AIIB loan by March, they acknowledge that stricter lending practices following instances of loan misappropriation in other states are contributing to the delay. Funding agencies are now prioritizing post-completion disbursement, further hindering project timelines.
Kochi Metro Rail Limited, in an attempt to mitigate costs, opted for smaller stations along the “Pink Line,” but the overall project, approved by the state in 2019 and the Centre in 2021, remains vulnerable to further delays unless funding is secured swiftly. Despite ongoing tender processes to prevent delays in other project components, the June 2026 completion target for the viaduct is now uncertain.
First Piper 