execute the construction of Kochi Metro works from Maharaja's College to Ernakulam south, and also from Kunnara Park to Pettah. Tripunithura extension KMRL approved the extension of the metro to Tripunithura on 27 January 2014. Speaking to the media after the meeting, Union Urban Development Secretary and KMRL chairman Sudhir Krishna announced that the extension would cost an additional . The extension will add two more stations, near Vadakkekotta and SN Junction, to the line. The extension will be completed after the Aluva-Pettah stretch. The State Cabinet approved the Tripunithura extension on 5 March 2014, based on the preliminary RITES report. Phase II: Kakkanad Infopark extension In November 2016, KMRL began the land acquisition process for an extension of the metro up to Infopark. KMRL will widen the Kakkanad-Airport corridor to a 22-metre-wide stretch, and construct metro pillars in the centre of the stretch. Palarivattom Junction, Palarivattom Bypass Junction and Collectorate Junction will also be widened. The extension will link Jawaharlal Nehru International Stadium to Infopark via Kakkanad, and is estimated to cost . Ernakulam District Collector K. Mohammed Y. Safirulla stated in March 2017, that the land evaluation process for the project had been completed. The State Cabinet approved Phase II of the Kochi Metro on 17 May 2017. It is estimated to cost . Unlike Phase I, the KMRL will implement Phase II independently without the involvement of the DMRC. Phase II comprises a line from Jawaharlal Nehru International Stadium to Infopark via Kakkanad. There will be 11 stations on the line - Palarivattom Junction, Palarivattom Signal, Chembumukku, Vazhakkala, Kunnumpuram, Kakkanad Junction, Kochi Special Economic Zone, Chittethukara, Rajagiri, InfoPark I and InfoPark II. Phase III: Airport extension The third phase of the metro includes plans to extend the line from Aluva up to the Cochin International Airport at Nedumbassery. Airport authorities had requested that the State Government build the metro link in the second phase, but the government decided to take it up in the third phase instead. Finances Funding and Revenue The original cost of the Kochi Metro project was , but this later increased to . Taxes on the project will come to about which will be borne by the Kerala Government along with any escalations. The total estimated cost of land acquisition is , higher than the estimated as per the original plan. The total external borrowing requirement for the metro rail project is nearly