Metro extension, GIFT City among top priorities of government for Ernakulam, says minister

Minister of State for Higher Education Roji M. John, who has been given charge of Ernakulam district, said that the United Democratic Front (UDF) government would pay special attention to the overall development of the district. He said the government would determine the development requirements of the district and expedite key infrastructure projects.

Addressing the media at the Ernakulam Press Club, the Minister said that extension of the Kochi Metro will be one of the top priorities of the government.

Work is currently underway on Phase II of the Kochi Metro, which connects the JLN Stadium and Infopark, and steps have been initiated to prepare a detailed project report (DPR) for Phase III, which proposes to extend the corridor to Angamaly. The minister said the government hopes to complete the project during its current tenure.

The minister blamed the previous Left Democratic Front (LDF) government for not implementing the proposed GIFT City project in Kochi, which has been under discussion for over six years. The minister said the LDF government could not acquire even a penny of land for the project despite having the approval of the Union government.

“The UDF government will initiate fresh steps to secure necessary clearances from the Center and take the project forward. GIFT City could become a major engine of economic growth and investment in the district, just like Infopark,” he said.

The Minister also highlighted the long pending Angamaly-Kundannoor bypass project. He described it as one of the most important projects to ensure a permanent solution to the district’s traffic congestion and said the government had already started preliminary procedures to move the project forward. He added that the possibility of developing the proposed bypass into an eight-lane road is being examined.

Published – 06 Jun 2026 21:42 IST