Kochi Metro Rail Limited discontinued several discount cards for students, leading to higher travel costs and longer commute times, forcing students to rely on slower bus services.

Kochi Metro Rail Limited is progressing with its Phase 2 development, which builds upon Phase 1 lessons to improve community engagement, ethical land acquisition practices, sustainability measures, and integration with the novel Water Metro. Key milestones include the inauguration of the first working pile at the Cochin SEZ station in September 2024, enhanced renewable energy use via solar installations, and robust public consultation to ensure fair compensation and stakeholder involvement.

The Kerala government approved funding of Rs 3.7857 billion on December 4, 2023, for the second phase of the Kochi Metro Rail project, aimed at enhancing connectivity across key residential and commercial areas. The project, part of a joint venture between the central and state governments, promises improved multi-modal integration and public transit accessibility.

Kochi Metro Rail Limited announced a project to install AI-based cameras across all metro stations, which will profile passengers by gender and age using facial recognition technology. The move, part of a broader data analytics initiative in collaboration with Rajagiri School of Engineering and Technology, raises concerns over potential surveillance and privacy invasions.

Eight transgender employees hired through a contract with Kudumbasree quit their positions at Kochi Metro Rail Limited due to the lack of affordable and safe accommodation. Their repeated appeals to local officials for help went unanswered, highlighting significant labor rights concerns and the neglect of a marginalized community.

Kochi Metro Rail Limited has onboarded 23 transgender persons across various departments such as ticketing, housekeeping, and crowd management. The initiative includes specialized training, a stipend for training days, and the construction of special bathroom facilities to protect their privacy, reflecting a strong commitment to marginalized communities and worker rights.

Kochi Metro Rail Limited announced that it will provide employment opportunities for transgender individuals in roles such as housekeeping, crowd management, and customer relations. This initiative aims to address the challenges faced by the transgender community in securing fair employment.

Political pressure from the state government led the Union Urban Development Ministry to permit DMRC's involvement in the Kochi Metro project, altering the original plans and demonstrating the impact of political interference on public infrastructure projects.