New Delhi:With the inauguration of first phase of the 13-km metro service by Prime Minister NarendraModi, the Kochi Metro has rolled on with many unique features.
Kochi Metro has been built at a cost of Rs 5,181-crore and as compared to other metro services in the country like Delhi, Chennai and Mumbai, which took 50, 56 and 76 months respectively for the completion of their first phase, Kochi metro has been commissioned in a record time of 45 months only.

With several innovative and inclusive initiatives Kochi Metro has already started catching eyeballs around the world.  
Keeping with the best environmental practices and sustainable develpoment; Kochi Metro is the first metro service in the country to leverage solar power to meet as much as half of its electricity requirements through solar power. The plan is underway in which each of its 22 stations over the stretch of 25-km rail line will have solar panels.
Apart from being a vital inter-city transport system, it is also planning the Rs 819 crore ‘water metro’ project to connect the metro to the 10 islands of Kochi under its first phaseof the water corridor which is expected to be operational by ends- 2018. 
This way, it will provide boat rides to and from the stations for people living on the banks of the backwaters, apart from low-floor buses. Additionally, every sixth one will have a vertical garden which will use recycled municipal waste and it will also offer bicycles free of cost at each station for passengers to roam around the city.
It is the first metro in India to have an integrated multi-mode transport system with rail, road and water connectivity. It has a single transportation network, including water transport, with seamless interchange, a single ticketing system, and a unified transportation network management, command and control.
Kochi metro is paving the way literally,from green initiative to an inclusive workforce. It becomes the first state-owned rail network in India that provide equal opportunity of employment to trans-genders. 
Another noteworthy aspect of this project is that Kochi Metro will be the first in India to have a workforce that comprises 80% of women.
Nearly 1000 women and 23 trans-genders are being selected to work for different operations ranging from ticketing to maintenance and this is considered as the big initiative taken by the Kochi Metro service to transforms the lives of women and transgender employees. 
Prior to its inauguration on June 17, KMRLorganised "SnehaYatra" for 1,550 persons including children with physical and cognitive disabilities, inmates from old age homes and workers who built the system for the city.
Incorporating state-of-the-art communication facilities that none other metros in India possess; The Kochi Metro’ was opened to public on Monday morning.
Prime Minister NarendraModi, considers the Kochi Metro an example of Public transport model. “Kochi Metro reflects 'Make in India' vision and therefore winning hearts, said Modi on its inauguration day.”
Inclusive development plays a major part in the planning and implementation of any major transportation system. Towards that, KMRL has taken efforts to ensure that the system will help in improving the livelihoods of the marginalised people in the city and suburbs, making KMRL different from Delhi or any other metro rail.