Kochi Metro Rail Limited (KMRL) is gearing up to complete its Non-Motorised Transport (NMT) projects along the metro corridor in the next three months.
KMRL had embarked on multiple NMT projects in three focal areas—Aluva, Edappally, and Vyttila—in accordance with the guidelines of the Ministry of Urban Development (MoUD) that Mass Rapid Transit System (MRTS) projects shall facilitate public bike sharing and pedestrian-friendly facilities in the influence zone of the stations.
They included station-oriented development projects and enhancement of pedestrian facilities along the Edappally-Kaloor stretch. Besides, KMRL is involved in developing modern at-grade walkways on Hospital Road under the Smart City Mission.
“Pedestrian-friendly facilities accessible to all sections of people, including differently-abled, remain the hallmark of our NMT projects. That is the reason why we have completely avoided foot overbridges and trained our focus fully on at-grade facilities,” KMRL sources said.
So far, junction improvement at Edappally, one of the significant NMT projects, has been completed at a cost of ₹4.20 crore. Among the facilities put in place under the project were pedestrian loop connecting all major destinations, multi-modal integration of bus, metro, and autorickshaw, space development under the flyover, and ample lighting for pedestrians. Besides, solar-powered traffic signal, police watch tower, and pollution-tolerant and low-maintenance plant species were set up at the busy junction. Quoting the city traffic police, KMRL sources claimed that the number of road accidents had come down in the area ever since. “The length of the road to be crossed by pedestrians has been decreased by 70%, ensuring a safer pedestrian movement,” they said.
NMT projects at Aluva got delayed owing to a slew of factors, including the delay in handing over land, shifting of utilities, and opposition from a section of the trading community. The ₹9-crore project consists of pedestrian-friendly footpaths, tactile tiles for the disabled, street furniture like bollards and bollard lights, flyover underside painting, and streetlights for pedestrians and traffic.
The station-oriented development projects in the 2.40-km stretch between Pulinchodu and Muttom and the 3.80-km stretch between Muttom and Edappally at an estimated cost of ₹3.40 crore and ₹6.98 crore respectively were also in various stages of completion. Muttom, Ambattukavu, Companypady, Pulinchodu, Pathadipalam, Cusat and Kalamasserry stations are covered under these projects.
Revamping or extending footpath and drains, providing covered walkways, drop-off points, designated bus bays, parking areas, pedestrian-friendly footpaths, pedestrian crossings with pelican lights, tactile tile for disabled persons, street furniture like bollards and bollard lights, tree planting, and landscaping and improvement of existing junctions are the works being undertaken.
NMT projects at Vyttila will be taken up only after the construction of the flyover at Vyttila Junction, KMRL sources said.
Published - October 12, 2018 12:49 am IST
