Kochi Metro Set to Roll by 2017

"The station construction, track-laying, traction, signaling, telecommunication, and other works of Kochi Metro are in full swing despite labor shortage and monsoon in Kerala. The first phase is almost ready for commissioning with unique technologies and business model by early 2017," says Elias George (I.A.S), M.D, KMRL, in an interview with Maria R.

How do you see 2016 for Kochi Metro construction and developmental milestones it will achieve this year? What would be the total length of Kochi Metro when it hits the final phase in 2019?
The major construction, except station construction for the first 18 km (Aluva-Maharaja's College Ground corridor) to be opened for public early next year is almost complete. By 2019, KMRL would cover 28 km.

Kochi Metro Rail Ltd (KMRL) hopes to use the metro project not just in solving the city's traffic woes, but also as a grander platform for an integrated public transportation system that will link the city's famed ferries and bus services. Built at a staggering cost of Rs. 5,181 crore, the initial ridership is estimated to be 1.5 lakh passengers a day which will reportedly soar to 6 lakh by 2030.

What about the feeder services to complement the metro system in the city?
Kochi is called the 'Queen of the Arabian Sea'; it is surrounded by water. For the first time in the country, Kochi Metro is developing water transport as the feeder service to the metro. It will connect the island to the mainland easily and share the positive externalities a metro will bring to the city with them. Apart from this, CNG/Electric vehicles are also planned as feeders.

Kochi was the first Tier-II city to get sanctioned a metro rail project and its metro train is first to use the 'Made in India' coaches. What are the other firsts to KMRL credit?
KMRL signed an agreement with Axis Bank for a co-branded smart card for the Automatic Fare Collection system of Kochi Metro. This is the first time any metro in India is coming up with a unique technological as well as business model for the fare payment system. Through this unique model, KMRL is saving the capital investment required to install AFC gates in all metro stations and also getting an additional royalty of Rs.209 crore over the next 10 years for the right to be KMRL's partner in this endeavour. In addition to this, 20% of Axis Bank's gross revenues, from the utilization of this Debit Card outside KMRL's ecosystem in various mercantile outlets and Internet transactions, will also accrue to KMRL over the next 10 years. This is the first time such an innovate model is being launched anywhere in the world.

The next unique feature of Kochi Metro is the theming of its stations. Kerala has a rich history of art, culture, and literature. The state started its global connection from early 14th century and had been witnessing cultural interactions with Portuguese, Dutch, British, and Arabs. Though they all came to Kerala for Spice trade, they left a lot of their cultural imprints here. KMRL is trying to take this opportunity to spread awareness about the importance of conserving and preserving the Western Ghats and its sensitive biosphere. So, the whole system will have a basic theme running through displays and landscape design, which would be specially focused on the entire range of flora, fauna, and culture of the Sahyaadris. The attempt is to give the commuters a multisensory experience including not just the visual but also the auditory, olfactory, and tactile, wherever possible. Conscious attempts have to be made to provide real flowering plants celebrating the flora of the Sahyaadris and capturing the various natural fragrances as vertical gardens.

The other special thematic stations and the themes have been selected as follows:

Aluva - This station will focus on the abundant bounty of nature which Kerala has been blessed with, along with a detailed focus on the Western Ghats.
CUSAT – The Maritime History of Kerala
Edapally – Spice route of Kerala
Changampuzha Park – Kerala's cultural and artistic heritage
JLN Stadium – Sports tradition of Kerala
MG Road – The history of the Ernakulum city.

Metro stations will also be rated on green building standards, and their compatibility with green building norms. What is your take on 'going green' of metro stations? Please tell us about the green features of Kochi metro.

KMRL believes that Kochi is not just futuristic but also environment-friendly. To achieve this, the following methods have already been adopted:

The Green Kochi drive with a detailed tree-planting plan across the city.
We are trying to be a truly green metro by optimizing energy use, using renewable energy (already launched 4 MW solar power project and planning 8 MW more), water recycling and eco-friendly design.
Every 6th pillar of Kochi Metro will be a vertical garden.

What is the idea behind setting up the 'Unified Metropolitan Transport Authority (UMTA)' in Kochi?
The main objective of UMTA is to restructure the transport sector for the benefit of Kochiites. Under this, all agencies in the transport sector are brought under a single platform as part of UMTA to ensure an integrated, comprehensive, and planned development of urban transportation.

KMRL ensures a safe, pollution-free, clean mode of transport. Hence, other modes of public transport will also be modernized and integrated with the metro as part of the Unified Metropolitan Transportation Authority – Kochi.