Kochi: The Ernakulam South metro station will be directly connected to the South railway station near-by either through a walkalator or a foot over bridge in the future.
The Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) has already given provision for the same at the South metro station.
“The plan is to set up either a walkalator or a foot overbridge based on commuter demand to connect the metro station with first floor of the railway station,” said a senior metro official. “However, the facility will be set up only when railways undertake the Rs 470 crore project to develop the Ernakulam Junction railway station into world class level.”
The Kochi Metro is expected to start the operations in the 5.75-km long Maharajas College Ground-Thykoodam section in September first week.
There will be only a single entry at the South metro station for the time being. The Kochi Metro Rail Ltd (KMRL) is constructing an eight-storey four-star hotel with bar-restaurant facility on the left side of the metro station.
Meanwhile, the Ernakulam Junction railway station redevelopment project, which was in the back burner for long, will be finally taken up for implementation.
“An official of the Rail Land Development Authority from New Delhi will visit the station next week to assess final land requirements after which the tenders will be floated for construction of a four-storey swanky building, with all modern facilities of an airport,” a senior railway official said.
As per the plan, first two-stories of the fully-covered station will feature all passenger amenities while the top two floors will have shops, cafes, hotels, fast food restaurants, multiplex and other commercial outlets.
“The plan is to complete the works by next year end. The project includes connectivity to the metro station from the first storey of the new building where the ticket counters will be set up,” the official said.
