Kerala cinema to cuisine: 6 Kochi Metro stations to have themes based on state heritage
The Kochi Metro stretch from Ernakulam South to Petta will become functional by the end of this year. Meanwhile, Kochi Metro Rail Limited (KMRL) has come out with characteristic themes that will adorn these newly built stations. From the history of Malayalam cinema to Kerala tourism, six Metro Rail stations will be based on the significant aspects of Kerala and its culture.
Kerala tourism, history of print media in Kerala, history of Malayalam cinema, history of transport in Kerala and fishing, are the themes chosen for stations. The public, too, was consulted to suggest a theme for one of the stations. Kerala cuisine was unanimously voted for.
“A few months ago, we had asked for suggestions from the public through our social media pages. A majority of the people suggested Kerala Cuisine and we chose that. The rest of the themes were decided by the KMRL team,” a KMRL official told TNM.
The metro line stretch from Ernakulam South to Petta is the part of the first phase of the project. According to officials of KMRL, about 90 per cent of the construction is completed in the particular metro stretch.
Currently, 12 metro stations in the city are themed based on the various aspects of Western Ghats. Four stations - Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium station, CUSAT, Changampuzha Park and MG Road stations - are thematically designed according to the speciality of these areas. For instance, Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium station has ‘sporting heritage of Kerala’ as its theme.
The themes for the new six stations will have been randomly allotted themes. As of now, KMRL has allotted:
“Some also suggested themes based on famous personalities in Kerala. But, we did not want themes to be individual specific,” the official added.
The KMRL also held a meeting with experts from various industries connected with the chosen themes to decide what aspects could be included. “In our meeting with professionals such as cine artists and chefs, we got more idea about the details we could bring into the themes while designing the interiors of the station. We are glad that we could create these design elements with the active involvement of the public,” says KMRL official.
The Kochi Metro has also started the process of extension of Phase One of the project – from Petta to SN Junction. KMRL is yet to start Phase Two of the Kochi Metro Rail, that is, 11 kilometre-stretch from Kaloor to Kakkanad.
- Kerala Tourism for Ernakulam South station
- History of Print Media in Kerala for Kadavanthra station
- History of Malayalam Cinema for Elamkulam station
- Transportation history of Kerala for Vyttila station
- Kerala Cuisine for Thaikodam station
- Fishing for Petta station
“Some also suggested themes based on famous personalities in Kerala. But, we did not want themes to be individual specific,” the official added.
The KMRL also held a meeting with experts from various industries connected with the chosen themes to decide what aspects could be included. “In our meeting with professionals such as cine artists and chefs, we got more idea about the details we could bring into the themes while designing the interiors of the station. We are glad that we could create these design elements with the active involvement of the public,” says KMRL official.
The Kochi Metro has also started the process of extension of Phase One of the project – from Petta to SN Junction. KMRL is yet to start Phase Two of the Kochi Metro Rail, that is, 11 kilometre-stretch from Kaloor to Kakkanad.