Thiruvananthapuram: A 13 kilometer stretch of Kochi Metro will be opened in April this year as its first phase, E. Sreedharan, principal advisor of Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC), said Monday.

The decision was taken at a meeting Sreedharan had with chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan.

"The inauguration of the 13km stretch from Aluva-Palarivattom will be held in April this year," Sreedharan told reporters.

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Kochi Metro's first phase will be the longest stretch to be opened in India in a metro rail project's initial stage. Normally, only a 6-7 km stretch is inaugurated in the first phase.

"Compared to other metro projects in India, Kochi Metro is also the fastest in opening its first phase for public," Sreedharan said.



The exact date of the inaugural function will be finalized after the Railway safety commissioner gives his nod.

KMRL has already conducted a number of trial runs in the 13km stretch. DMRC is overseeing the entire project under the leadership of Sreedharan.

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The state government was keen that Kochi Metro Rail Ltd (KMRL) and DMRC explore the possibilities of opening the first phase of metro system from Aluva to Maharaja's College.

However, the government now gave its nod for the first phase from Aluva to Palarivattom. The work on Palarivattom-Maharaja's College is expected to be completed in another four months.

(With PTI inputs)