The Kochi Pink Line metro stations represent the cultural heritage of Kerala

Currently, the Kochi Metro system operates 23 stations on the 27 km long Aluva-Thripunithura Blue Line. | Photo credit: The Hindu

The 11 stations envisaged along the Kakkanad (Pink Line) extension of the Kochi Metro would showcase elements of Kerala’s heritage, culture and tradition.

“This is in line with the practice of assigning dedicated themes to many of the 23 stations along the Aluva–MG Road–Thripunithura Metro corridor (Blue Line), reflecting the uniqueness of their respective locations. For example, the JLN station at Kaloor on the Blue Line has a sports theme, given its proximity to the Jawaharlal Nehru International Stadium Metro,” Nehru International Stadium sources said.

The Pink Line would start from JLN Stadium and proceed eastwards to its first station at Palarivattom Junction. Due to space constraints, the station would only have entry and exit points on its northern side. Its theme would be ‘Laugh Line Cartoons: Keralam and beyond’, as the state is home to many cartoonists who have made a name for themselves nationally and internationally, they said.

Another station, a larger one at Alinchuvad, will be themed ‘Kasavu and Beyond: Keralam Handloom’, commemorating the heritage of handloom weavers, including those of Chendamangalam in north Ernakulam. The proposed station at Chembumukku would have ‘musical instruments of Kerala’ as its theme.

The fourth station at Vazhakkala would have ‘Lamps of Keralam’ as its theme, while the station at Padamugal would have elements of ‘Coconut Industry Heritage — The Golden Thread of Keralam’. Coconut products are in high demand in both domestic and international markets.

One of the most prominent stations on the Pink Line, at Civil Station Junction (Collectorate Junction) in Kakkanad, would be themed around the iconic ‘Aranmula Kannadi — The Mirror of Heritage’, another of the state’s claims to global fame. ‘Ornaments of Keralam’ would be the theme of the next station at Cochin SEZ on Seaport-Airport Road.

Many stories

Located near the water metro terminal used by IT professionals and other commuters, the Chittethukara station would feature features of “Kerala’s Iconic Snake Boats — The Majestic Vallam Kali”. Further ahead, closer to the IT corridor, the Kinfra Park station would showcase ‘Kalaripayattu’, a famous martial art form of Kerala, while another station, at Infopark, would feature ‘Kathakali’. The terminus at SmartCity should be a proud place for the unique art form popular in North Kerala and should be themed around ‘Theyyam’. The aim is to convey the message of “One journey, many stories, endless memories” to metro passengers, sources said.

Published – 07 Sep 2026 07:00 IST