Four years after the construction of Kochi metro began, it gets a clearance certificate from the Commissioner of Metro Rail Safety (CMRS) on Monday.
Reports say that this the fastest clearance given by CMRS. The CMRS began its inspection on May 4, which ended last Friday. On Mondayevening the Kochi Metro Rail Limited (KMRL) received the safety certificate, required for the commencement of metro operations.
As per the sources in KMRL, continuous trail runs will begin from next week and the metro operations is likely to start by second week of June.
As per reports, KMRL will decide an inauguration date depending on the Prime Minister’s convenience.
“Inspections of tracks, signalling and telecommunication systems and trains, stations, fire alarms, CCTV systems and the public information system have been completed. Installation of CCTV, public information and addressing systems will be completed soon,” KMRL MD, Elias George told the media on Monday.
The metro trains in Kochi would be operating at 35 kmph, including the halting time at stations. The maximum speed is 80 kmph, which was attained during trial runs.
The minimum fare is Rs 10 and the maximum Rs 40.
The first phase where metro will run in the beginning is the 13 kilometre stretch from Aluva to Palarivattom.
Branding the stations
KMRL has generated Rs 15 crore revenue even before it started functioning, through branding the stations. Each station will be known in the name of a corporate company for the first three years. For example : Muthoot Papachan Group won the right for Aluva, Kalamassery and Kaloor stations while smartphone brand Oppo won the right for Edappally and MG Road stations.
Thematic interiors of the stations
The thematic interior design of the stations reportedly impressed the CMRS. At some stations the theme has been linked to the speciality of the locality. The theme in Kaloor station is sports, as it has an international stadium. Monsoon is the theme of Kalamassery station, Western Ghats and Periyar is the theme of Aluva. The theme in CUSAT station is old maritime history of Kerala, while Edapally has Kerala spices as the theme.