Even as works are under way to commission the 13-km-long Aluva-Palarivattom stretch of Kochi Metro in mid-April, Elias George, Kochi Metro Rail Limited Managing Director, on Wednesday expressed the caveat that this can be done only if designated works on all 11 stations is over and the Commissioner of Metro Rail Safety (CMRS) issues the safety certificate.
“We want to provide a finished, fully cooked product to Kochiites,” he told reporters here on Wednesday. He was speaking after the final mission of SYTRAL, the unified transport authority of Lyon city, France, to Kochi. Mr. George said the CMRS, which functions under the Ministry of Civil Aviation, is expected to inspect the stretch in April first week. All ongoing finishing touches to stations too have to be completed before commissioning, Mr George said, referring to works like fixing boards and also, aesthetic elements of stations.
“As of now, a list of 240 Kerala State Industrial Security Force personnel, who will provide security at stations, is ready. Seven hundred women from Kudumbasree-member families too are being trained for housekeeping and other tasks at stations, a global model to emulate,” he added.
Later, answering a query from The Hindu , he said that the multi-modal, pre-paid Smart Card for cashless ticketing will most likely be launched alongside the inaugural function. The card will be enabled for paying commercial transactions and for paying power, water bills, etc., after a few months.
Fort Kochi extension
On a proposal to extend the metro from Jos Junction up to Fort Kochi, Mr. George said there are other mass-rapid transport options such as tramways and bus-rapid transport (BRT), which are much cheaper.
“Taking the metro to Fort Kochi is not technically and financially feasible due to narrow roads which pass through thickly populated areas. Many heritage buildings too will have to be knocked down for road widening.”
He added that the Centre’s approval is awaited for the ₹1,300-crore loan from French agency AFD for metro’s Kakkanad extension.
Water metro
Referring to the Water Metro project in which 78 modern ferries will be procured over a three-year time span, he said that a general consultant will be appointed shortly from among the three firms which have been shortlisted. It will have to design and oversee the execution of the project. The first batch of boats are expected in 2018 end, following which induction will be faster.
Elaborating on technical expertise provided by SYTRAL and French NGO Codatu, Mr. George said the two-year partnership agreement with them would conclude in April. Visits by delegations to Lyon provided inputs on efficient management of public transport and integration of commuting modes. The French also provided invaluable technical help to prepare projects to do up public spaces, walkways and hewing out cycle tracks.
Aluva and Edappally junctions will be widened and improved for ₹10 crore each. “Works have been awarded and we are awaiting NHAI’s approval. Another ₹160- crore project is on the anvil to develop the vicinity of metro stations in the Aluva-Pettah corridor, so that there is space for pedestrians and for parking buses, autorickshaws, etc.”
Vyttila hub
The French also provided inputs to integrate metro, ferries and bus transport at Vyttila Mobility Hub. The KMRL was tasked with preparing the DPR for second phase development of the hub.
Senator and president of SYTRAL Annie Guillemot reminded that modern, non-polluting public transportation modes hold the key to enhancing quality of urban life. “Fast mobility and economic development go hand in hand.” The French also assisted KMRL in forming Unified Metropolitan Transport Authority (UMTA-Kochi) and to adopt a strategy for operation and maintenance of the metro.
The head of SYTRAL-AFD-KMRL-CODATU technical cooperation team Etienne Lhomet too was present.
Since Monday, the French also participated in a three-day workshop which discussed topics such as intelligent transport system, open data and reduction of CO2 emission, a medium capacity public transport network for Kochi and technical cooperation to Mobilise Your City project.
