Passengers of the Kochi Metro Rail can now make waiting hours at the station exciting, with some quick grocery shopping or maybe even a haircut.
Writing for the Deccan Chronicle, Krishna Kumar KE reported that the Kochi Metro station in the Aluva Maharajas College will soon have food outlets, mini super markets, salons and spas, on the lines of the Bangalore Metro Rail.
The proposal comes as part of the Kochi Metro’s efforts to boost their revenue. The Kochi Metro Rail Ltd has already started leasing commercial spaces in nine metro stations including Aluva, Kalamassery and CUSAT. The bidders can install stalls or shops for 10 types of commercial activities, the DC report adds.
The commercial establishments are expected to come up at Aluva, Kalamassery, Cochin University, Palarivattom, Pulinchode, Companypady, Pathadipalam, JLN stadium and MG road metro stations.
“Tenders have been invited for food and beverage outlets, retail shops, bakers and confectionaries, mini supermarket. Electronics and lifestyle shops, spa and beauty parlour, boutiques, stationery stores, and branded products. We are also leasing out space for setting up office spaces. We are targeting to complete the process in three months. The response is positive though there is time for submission of the tenders,” a metro spokesperson told Deccan Chronicle.
Meanwhile, the Kochi Metro Rail Ltd (KMRL) announced that it was providing a 50% discount on return journey tickets, for a limited period between November 14 and December 23.
“With the introduction of these fare products, regular commuters and other travellers who frequently use the Metro system will get a reduction in the total fare… To increase footfalls in the Metro, KMRL has long-term plans such as the introduction of new fare products like monthly passes, student passes, weekend passes, daily passes and seasonal passes,” KMRL managing director A P M Muhammed Hanish was quoted as saying.