Kochi Metro to Launch Electric Feeder Bus Service on Kadavanthra–Panampilly Nagar Route.

Kochi Metro Rail Ltd. (KMRL) is set to launch its electric feeder bus circular service on the Kadavanthra–Panampilly Nagar–KP Vallon Road route recently, iming to enhance last-mile connectivity for metro commuters.a

According to KMRL, the service will operate daily from 8a.m. to 7:50 p.m. The circular route will start from the Kadavanthra Metro station, covering Manoram Junction, Panampilly Nagar Road, Justice Krishna Iyer Road, KP Vallon Road, and Sahodaran Ayyappan Road before returning to the starting point.

The launch, initially planned two months ago, was postponed due to technical reasons. KMRL noted that other feeder services introduced across the city—on routes such as Aluva–Airport, Kalamassery–Medical College, Kakkanad–Infopark, and High Court–MG Road—have recorded strong ridership.

A recent survey by the National Institute of Technology Calicut (NITC) found that the majority of feeder bus users are working professionals aged between 25 and 47. On average, over 4,600 passengers use the feeder bus network daily. The recently extended circular route now connects Ernakulam South to the Naval Base via Cochin Shipyard.

Meanwhile, progress on the Phase II Pink Line of Kochi Metro is being accelerated. At a review meeting held in Kakkanad on Tuesday, District Collector G. Priyanka instructed officials to establish a timeline for completing land acquisition at Chembumukku and Palarivattom stations. She also directed authorities to remove encroachments on public land as part of canal renovation work at Chilavannoor and Edappally.