If not properly planned or developed, urban transport could average a city speed of 6- 8 kmph (kilometre per hour) that of a morning walker, according to the Ministry of Urban Development.
This simple yet startling fact can be found as the response to the query –Why Kochi Metro? - on the Kochi Metro Rail Limited (KMRL) website.
The current inadequate and inefficient transport systems and facilities have only served to increase the gridlocks and congestion leading to massive waste of manpower, fossil-fuels, increased pollution levels and subsequent economic downslide.
This is where the Kochi Metro Rail Project comes to play as part of the alternated modes of urban mass transport and multi-models of transport integration that are being considered in India.
KMRL aims to provide the masses with a reliable, safe, economic, user-friendly and punctual mode of a world-class metro rail system at affordable rates- all this coupled with an environmentally sustainable model.
Speaking to The News Minute, P Narayanan -PRO of DMRC- has this to say about the current status of the project: “The first trial run is scheduled on January 23. We expect to have a test run on the viaduct itself by the end of February. And by June hopefully, commercial operations could begin, but only upto Palarivattom, because as of now train-reversal is possible only at Palarivattom. The next reversal-point is at Maharaja’s College. Work is still on there.”
The major problem –Narayan says- in meeting deadlines lies is the land acquisition. DMRC cannot execute unless land is handed over.
“In Phase-1, we have divided the 24 km stretch into Reach-1 from Aluva to Maharaja’s College and Reach-2 covers the remaining stretch upto Pettah. As land is being handed over to us, we keep progressing. Were it not for such hurdles, DMRC could easily complete the entire Phase-1 in 2016 itself.
Kochi Metro Rail Project at a glance
The Kochi Metro Rail Project is a joint venture between the Government of India and the Government of Kerala with KMRL as the project owner and the client and Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) as the executing agency.
KMRL also relies on the expert advice of E Sreedharan who is the Principal Advisor to DMRC.
Centre’s share: 20.26%
Estimated Completion Cost: Around Rs. 5181.79 crores
(KMRL to pay DMRC a remuneration of six percent of the estimated project cost. All expenses incurred by DMRC will be subsumed in this figure.)
Starting Date: 13 September 2012 (foundation stone laid by then PM Manmohan Singh)
Proposed Date of Completion: June 2017 (Land acquisition poses a major hurdle)
Metro fare: Rs. 15-30/-
Mode of payment: Automated payment system using a combination of smart cards & computerized paper tickets
Capacity: 975 passengers (including seating – 140 with 8 standees per square metre)
Coaches: 75 (25 trains with a 3-car combination)
This is the proposed Metro route:
1. Aluva 2. Pulinchodu 3. Companypady 4. Ambattukavu
5. Muttom 6. Kalamassery 7. Cochin University 8. Pathadipalam
9. Edapally 10. Changampuzha Park 11. Palarivatom 12. JL N Stadium
13. Kaloor 14. Lissie 15. M.G Road 16. Maharaja’s College
17. Ernakulam south 18. Kadavanthra 19. Elamkulam 20. Vytila
21. Thykkoodam 22. Petta 23. Alliance Junction SN Junction 24. Tripunithura
KMRL is to be completed in three phases:
Phase I: Aluva - Pettah. Work on the 25.612 kms stretch at a cost of Rs 5181.79 crores currently on and expected to be commissioned by June 2017.
Phase IA: Pettah - Tripunithura. Based on demands that metro rail should be extended, administrative sanction accorded for the 2.5 kms stretch on June 25 2014.
Phase IB: Jawaharlal Stadium to Kakkanad. (Stadium - Palarivattom Bypass - Chembamukku - Vazhakkala - Kunnumpuram - Kakkanad Junction - Kochi SEZ - Chittethukara - Rajagiri - Infopark- I - Infoapark-II)
KMRL Board of Directors: 13 members
