KOCHI: The train that Prime Minister Narendra Modi will take in the Palarivattom-Pathadipalam corridor on Saturday prior to the Kochi metro’s inauguration will be an expository prologue to the culture of Kerala and its scenic beauty.
“The three-coach train will have a fabulous wrapping depicting Kathakali, snake-boat race, Kalaripayattu, backwaters, traditional architecture, and a lot more,” Kochi Metro Rail Limited (KMRL) Managing Director Elias George told The Hindu . The train is well hidden from public view and is intended as a surprise for all.
The first train that arrived here from Alstom’s manufacturing plant at Sri City in Andhra Pradesh was wrapped with similar themes, with various elements of Kerala’s culture presented in a white background. In the near future, the metro agency will wrap the trains with advertisements, to generate non-ticketing revenue.
Regular commuters
Mr. George said the six trains that would be operated in the Aluva-Palarivattom corridor would be opened to commuters from Monday, two days after the inauguration. Sunday will be reserved for orphaned children, people living in old-age homes, and others who will be short-listed in a day.
“The trains will be operated from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. Work on displaying literary quotes hand-picked from Malayalam and world literature at stations began on Wednesday,” he added.
Green protocol
A green protocol will be adhered to during the metro’s inaugural function, to avoid generation of garbage. An event-management firm is in charge of the arrangements.
Road repair
It is learnt that instructions have been issued to the DMRC and civic agencies to remove debris and other waste from medians and roadsides in the Palarivattom-MG Road/Menaka-Naval Base corridor, since Mr. Modi is expected to take the road route to Palarivattom from the Naval airport.
