The sleepy region of Edapally suddenly shot to limelight in 2013 thanks to Lulu Mall. The same year Kochi Metro began its work to connect Aluva and Petta through Edapally.

The shopping centre and the metro station have brought life to the small town that is now buzzing with activity all through the year.

Shoppers, who take the metro to reach the mall, need to trek a distance to enjoy the facilities of the swanky mall. To make the shopping experience more memorable and convenient the Lulu management has started constructing an exclusive corridor linking the mall with the metro station.

While the elevated corridor is expected to increase the footfall in their establishments, the Kochi Metro is expected to benefit in the form of user fee. Shoppers will be able to push their carts and walk into the metro stations directly. The steel corridors will facilitate hassle-free shopping.

But is it right to grant permission for a private entity to use the metro station for its benefit? “Why not. Both the Kochi Metro and the private establishments will be benefited,” said a senior official of the Kochi Metro when Covai Post approached him.

Not only Lulu Mall, but Chennai Silks, PVS Hospital in Kaloor and a private builder have expressed their desire to link their buildings with the metro stations. The business houses will have to meet the construction costs as well as maintenance charges of these steel bridges.