AFCONS Infrastructure to construct Kochi metro’s Kakkanad extension viaduct

The contract to construct the Kochi metro’s 11.20-km viaduct for its Kakkanad extension has been awarded to AFCONS Infrastructure. The firm that quoted ₹1,141 crore for the work had emerged the lowest bidder and the sole technically qualified bidder as tenders were opened in March to construct the metro’s second-phase extension that would take off from JLN Stadium and end at Infopark in Kakkanad. Official sources attributed the delay in finalising the contract to getting concurrence from Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank that had offered a soft loan for the metro extension that is estimated to cost ₹1,957 crore. Junction at Thripunithura would be built where the metro viaduct crossed the national highway bypass at Palarivattom and in front of St. Martin’s Church from where the metro extension will turn eastward towards Palarivattom.