In photos: Kochi Metro flagged off, pathbreaking in more ways than one

The first phase of the Kochi Metro was flagged off by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on 17 June. PM Modi undertook the inaugural ride along with governor P. Sathasivam, chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan, union urban development minister M. Venkaiah Naidu, Delhi Metro Rail Corporation principal advisor E. Sreedharan and Kochi Metro Rail Limited managing director Elias George.

The 11 stations that were inaugurated cover a distance of 13.2km, thereby making it the longest first phase for any metro line in India. It is expected that the travel time between Aluva and Palarivattom will be reduced by at least 20 minutes. The metro will begin operating from 6 am on Monday, and rides will continue until 10 pm. In fact, officials have reportedly scheduled over 200 metro rides for day one.

The construction of the Kochi Metro began in 2013 and was completed in a record time of four years. Additionally, the Kochi Metro has been pathbreaking in other ways as it became the first government run agency to employ transgender people in the country.

The metro is also making use of solar power that will contribute to at least 17% of its energy requirements. In fact, once the metro line is completed, it is expected that solar energy will power it for two months every year.