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conventional power grid, cutting operational energy costs while significantly lowering

the metro system's carbon footprint. The solar installations are designed to power
station lighting, escalators, and auxiliary systems, with excess energy being fed back

into the grid through net-metering arrangements, further enhancing sustainability.
Additionally, KMRL has enhanced energy efficiency by optimising Automatic Train

Operation (ATO) speed profiles, which adjust train speeds based on geographical
gradients and traffic flow, reducing unnecessary energy consumption. Another

innovative measure includes stabling technically fit trains at stations after revenue
service, eliminating the need for empty trips back to depots and subsequent

redeployment, thereby conserving energy and improving operational efficiency.

Achieving Operational Breakeven: A Milestone

Kochi Metro's journey from initial cynicism to financial viability reached a critical
milestone from FY 2022-23 when it achieved operational breakeven, marking a
significant achievement for urban transit in mid-sized Indian cities. This breakthrough

signifies that the metro's core revenues from fares, advertising, and property

development now fully cover its day-to-day operational expenses, including staff
salaries, energy costs, and routine maintenance. While the system still carries long-
term capital liabilities such as loan repayments for infrastructure development—

keeping it from full profitability—this achievement shatters the myth that metros are

financially unsustainable outside megacities. The breakeven milestone validates
KMRL's innovative business model, which combines optimised operations, diversified
revenue streams, and cost-control measures tailored to Kochi's unique urban fabric.

More importantly, it demonstrates that with planning and efficient management, even

smaller cities can support financially sustainable metro systems that deliver social,
economic, and environmental benefits. As Kochi Metro continues expanding its
network and ridership, this operational equilibrium lays a strong foundation for eventual

full financial self-sufficiency, offering a replicable blueprint for sustainable urban

mobility across India's emerging cities.

Kochi Metro’s remarkable transformation from a project shrouded in skepticism to a

beacon of sustainable urban transit stands as a powerful testament to strategic

foresight, adaptive management, and bold innovation. Beyond mobility, KMRL’s
journey embodies a larger vision—that public transportation is the backbone of future.