It's official: PM Modi to inaugurate Kochi Metro on June 17

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will launch the prestigious Kochi Metro project on June 17 at Aluva CM Pinarayi Vijayan's office received a letter from the PMO on Tuesday, confirming Modi's participation Earlier, controversy had erupted over the inauguration following uncertainty over PM's participation The inauguration will see the train service operating in the 13­ km stretch from Aluva to Palarivattom

The much-awaited inauguration of the Kochi Metro will take place on June 17, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi launching the prestigious project at Aluva.

Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan's office received a letter from the PMO on Tuesday, confirming Modi's participation in the event, following which the date of the inauguration was finalised. 

The inauguration will see the train service operating in the 13­ km stretch from Aluva to Palarivattom. The service will be operational from 5 am to 10 pm, and there will be a train every 10 minutes.

Earlier, a controversy had erupted after state tourism and co-operation minister Kadakampally Surendran said the inauguration would be held on May 30 and CM Pinarayi would inaugurate it, if the PM cannot make it to the function. BJP's Kerala leadership then alleged that the LDF government in the state wanted to inaugurate the project when Modi would be away on a European tour. 

Pinarayi stepped in to put a lid on the controversy by saying the state government was in constant touch with PM's office and that a final date for the inauguration would be fixed only after getting the PM's confirmation.

Kochi Metro, which secured the green signal from rail safety panel, had begun service trials on the corridor earlier this month.