By: Express Web Desk | New Delhi | Updated: June 17, 2017 12:35 pm

Official inauguration of Kochi metro rail by PM Narendra Modi at Kaloor Stadium Cochin on Saturday Express photo by Nirmal Harindran, 17th June 2017, Cochin

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday inaugurated Kochi Metro. Addressing the crowd in Kochi, Modi said that he dedicates the metro services to the people of Kochi. He also said that with rising population in Kochi, people of Kochi will be find the metro services very helpful. He also added that coaches in Kochi Metro shows Make in India vision. Describing Kochi as the “queen of Arabian Sea”, PM Modi said that Kochi has become the capital hub of Kerala over the years.

Earlier, PM Modi arrived at Kochi INS Garuda Naval Air Station, news agency ANI reported, where he was welcomed by Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan. He took the first metro ride along with CM Vijayan, Union Minister Venkaiah Naidu and “Metro Man” E Sreedharan from Palarivattom to Pathadippalam, after which he proceeded towards the Jawaharlal Nehru International Stadium for the inauguration. PM Modi is expected to hold meeting with CM Vijayan and other cabinet ministers later in the day.

Kochi Metro rail inauguration highlights:

12:15 pm: “Nearly 1000 women and 23 transgenders are being selected to work in #KochiMetro rail system,” Modi said. PM Modi presented a hand carved model of Kochi metro cart as a token of appreciation by CM Pinarayi Vijayan.

Kerala CM Pinarayi Vijayan presents a hand carved wooden model of #KochiMetro car to PM Narendra Modi pic.twitter.com/aFocxMIIH8

— ANI (@ANI_news) June 17, 2017

12:12 pm: In PRAGATI meetings, I have personally reviewed nearly 175 projects worth more than eight lakh crore rupees & resolved bottlenecks, Modi said, while addressing the crowd after inauguration of Kochi Metro. “We are also focusing on next generation infrastructure, which includes logistics, digital and gas,” PM Modi added. There is a need to bring about paradigm shift in urban planning through an integrated approach, he said.

12:10 pm: Over the last three years, my Government has placed special focus on overall infrastructure development of the nation: PM Modi said. Number of initiatives taken to enhance public transport in cities specifically, he added. He also said that 50 cities in India are ready to implement metro rail services.

12:07 pm: Kochi one mobile app has electronic wallet integrated to which will link to Kochi one card. The coaches reflect “Make in India” vision. They have been built by Alstom near Chennai, and have an Indian component of around 70%, said PM Modi.

12:06 pm: Kochi Metro integrates city’s entire transport system in a single system: PM Modi. Kochi metro is the first metro project to be commissioned with modern signalling system, the coaches reflect the Make in india initiative,” he added.

12:05 pm: PM Modi is said that the population in Kochi has seen a rapid increase, expected to reach 23 lakhs by 2021. Therefore a mass rapid transport system is essential to address the increasing pressure on urban infrastructure. It will also contribute to Kochi’s economic growth. Kochi Metro rail is 50 50 joint venture between govt of kerala and union government.

12:04 pm: PM Modi addresses the crowd in Kochi. He welcomes the crowd and said that he is happy to be part of Kochi Metro inauguration. He also congratulated the people of Kochi for their effort.

12:02 pm: PM Narendra Modi unveils commemorative flag to inaugurate Kochi Metro.

11:57 pm: Kochi Metro one Card was also launched at the event. The card can be used for all the stations for cashless travles. It can be also used for commercial transactions at metro stations like debit cards. The app would be activated few days after the launch, Elias George, said.

11:48 am: Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan launched Kochi One mobile application to help commuters in stay connected to metro rail timings, to check out different routes and places in and around metro station. He has taken the stage to address the crowd. Addressing the crowd, Vijayan said the state and centre have worked hand in hand for the project. He also thanked workers from around the country who made the Kochi Metro possible.

11:40 am: Union Minister Venkaiah Naidu takes stage to address crowd. Expresses gratitude to “metro man” E Sreedharan. “Today I am very happy to inaugurate Kochi metro with PM Modi and E sreedharan,” Naidu said. He also extended his gratitude to the people of Kerala. Around the country traffic congestion is a major problem, there won’t be any attention, but only tension, Naidu said. To reduce traffic congestion, we need to move towards public transport, he added. He also people of Kochi to support the efforts of Kochi administration.

Happy to be a part of the maiden metro ride of Kochi Metro from Aluva to Palarivattom along with hon’ble PM Shri @narendramodi ji and others pic.twitter.com/L6gSR3SDXa

— M Venkaiah Naidu (@MVenkaiahNaidu) June 17, 2017

11:35 am: The KMRL stage has more people than initially planned. Along with E Shreedharan, there is Opposition leader Ramesh Chennithala, the Ambassador of France etc. Huge cheer for Shreedharan, who is known as India’s Metro Man. Sreedharan was not enlisted in the dignitaries list invited at the inauguration earlier.

11: 34 am: PM Modi on stage at the Kaloor stadiium where the Kochi Metro will be formally inauguated. Over 3000 invited guests are at the venue. Addressing the crowd, Kochi Metro head Elias George said, “Metro has been built withing deadline and budget.”

11:3o am: Kochi Metro recorded the construction of its first phase in record time. It is the longest first phase metro operation in India, but was finished within 45 months. Mumbai Metro took 75 months to finish its 11-km run, while Chennai Metro took 72 months from completion of its 4 km first phase.

Watch | Kochi Metro Inauguration Live

11:22 am: PM Modi taking a ride in Metro along with other dignitaries.

Futuristic infrastructure that will contribute to India’s growth…PM @narendramodi and other dignitaries on the Kochi Metro. pic.twitter.com/TA2TWlm3wp

— PMO India (@PMOIndia) June 17, 2017

11:20 am: PM Narendra Modi about to inaugurate Kochi Metro. READ THE UPDATES IN MALAYALAM: click here

11:15 am: More scenes from inside Kochi Metro.

The final trial run of Kochi Metro rail sheduled to start its first phase of operation next week is still in progress

11:15 am: PM Modi took first ride on metro with CM Vijayan, E Sreedharan. The main inauguration event is still to start.

11:01 am: PM Modi has just inaugurated the Palarivattom metro station with Governor P Sathasivam, CM Pinarayi Vijayan, Metro Man E Shreedharan and Union Minister Venkaiah Naidu. Kerala BJP chief Kummanam Rajashekaran is also accompanying the PM.

10:58 am: PM Modi is soon about to inaugurate Kochi Metro. The inauguration of the service is being done at the international stadium in Kaloor. He will then take a train ride from Palarivattom to Patthadipalam.

10:50 am: The first phase of metro will run for 13 km and cover 11 stations between Palarivattam and Aluva in Kochi. The cost of the entire metro construction was roughly around Rs 6000 crore, with the construction executed by DMRC, to be operated by KMRL.

10:45 am: The first phase of Kochi metro will include feeder services with boats, called as Water Metro, which was set up at at the cost of Rs 800 crore. The first phase of integrated public transport system will also have buses, for which the existing bus network was restructured.

10:25 am: PM Narendra Modi reached Kochi airport. Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan arrived at the air station to receive PM Modi. The prime minister, after the inauguration, is expected to hold a meeting with Vijayan.

Kerala: PM Narendra Modi arrives at Kochi’s INS Garuda Naval Air Station, will inaugurate #KochiMetro later today. pic.twitter.com/m6W5dOuOm0

— ANI (@ANI_news) June 17, 2017

10: 20 am: Scenes from Kochi Metro.