After the much awaited decision on the inauguration of the Kochi Metro Rail, the next big question, was when the first ride in Kerala’s first metro would be possible.
According to reports, citizens need not wait for long, as the first ride would be thrown open to the public on June 17.
The metro rail authorities expect a heavy rush of passengers to take a ride in the metro during the initial days, and also expect traffic congestion in the city once it is opened to the public.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi will travel in the metro after inaugurating it on June 17 on Saturday. On Sunday, the service will be conducted solely for disabled persons.
"In the initial weeks a good number of people will take joy rides in the metro, which is expected to continue for two or three weeks. We are prepared to handle large crowds, but we cannot predict the number of people who would come or where they would concentrate. The regular riders will eventually come in," a KMRL spokesperson told Greeshma Gopal Giri from the Times of India.
The police are also making preparations, as they expect traffic congestion in the city on the day that the metro is opened for public. They have also asked people to be prepared for some inconvenience that could be caused.
Speaking to TOI, Deputy Commissioner of Police Yatish Chandra said, "There would be traffic congestion when more vehicles enter. Very few vehicles should hit the arterial roads along the Metro corridor."
District collector Mohammed Y Safarulla convened an evaluation meeting on Saturday and checked the security measures and preparedness for the inauguration.
The final review meeting of the arrangements is scheduled to be held in Thiruvananthapuram on Tuesday.
The inaugural function will be held at Jawarhal Lal Nehru Stadium in Kaloor and as many as 3,500 invitees will take part in the event, local media reported. After the much awaited decision on the inauguration of the Kochi Metro Rail, the next big question, was when the first ride in Kerala’s first metro would be possible.
According to reports, citizens need not wait for long, as the first ride would be thrown open to the public on June 17.
The metro rail authorities expect a heavy rush of passengers to take a ride in the metro during the initial days, and also expect traffic congestion in the city once it is opened to the public.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi will travel in the metro after inaugurating it on June 17 on Saturday. On Sunday, the service will be conducted solely for disabled persons.
"In the initial weeks a good number of people will take joy rides in the metro, which is expected to continue for two or three weeks. We are prepared to handle large crowds, but we cannot predict the number of people who would come or where they would concentrate. The regular riders will eventually come in," a KMRL spokesperson told Greeshma Gopal Giri from the Times of India.
The police are also making preparations, as they expect traffic congestion in the city on the day that the metro is opened for public. They have also asked people to be prepared for some inconvenience that could be caused.
Speaking to TOI, Deputy Commissioner of Police Yatish Chandra said, "There would be traffic congestion when more vehicles enter. Very few vehicles should hit the arterial roads along the Metro corridor."
District collector Mohammed Y Safarulla convened an evaluation meeting on Saturday and checked the security measures and preparedness for the inauguration.
The final review meeting of the arrangements is scheduled to be held in Thiruvananthapuram on Tuesday.
The inaugural function will be held at Jawarhal Lal Nehru Stadium in Kaloor and as many as 3,500 invitees will take part in the event, local media reported.