Kochi Metro’s phase-1 has been completed with the commissioning of the Thykoodam-Petta stretch, announced Shri Hardeep Singh Puri, MoS, I/C, Housing and Urban Affairs. Shri Puri added that Phase-1 of the Kochi Metro is now complete at a cost of Rs. 6218 crores. He further said that the proposal for Phase-2 of Kochi Metro is under active consideration of Govt. of India and would be approved soon.
Highlights of the inauguration:
- Thykoodam-Petta stretch of Kochi Metro was inaugurated by Union Minister Shri Hardeep Singh Puri and Kerala Chief Minister Shri Pinarayi VIjayan through video conference on 07th, September 2020.
- Addressing at the online launch, Shri Puri urged the people of the country to travel responsibly while adhering to various SOPs issued in different states for metro operations.
- Union Minister along with Kerala Chief Minister flagged off the train from Petta at 12:30 PM in a virtual inauguration conducted over video conference.
- The commencement of civil works from SN Junction to Thrippunithura by unveiling the plaques was also done.
- Kerala Ministers, MPs, MLAs, Chief Secretary and senior officials also joined the virtual inauguration.
- Shri Durga Shanker Mishra, Secretary, MoHua congratulated the Kerala Government and the people of Kerala for the completion of phase-1 of Kochi metro.
- With the inauguration of the 1.33 km stretch from Thykoodam to Petta on 07th, September 2020, the total operational stretch will be 25.2 Kms.
- With the commissioning of Petta-Thykoodam stretch, Kochi Metro should be able to increase ridership to over 1 lakh per day.
- Commissioner of Metro Railway Safety (CMRS) had approved the opening of Petta metro station back in May, 2020.
- KMRL had completed the works of Petta station wayback in March itself but the commissioning was delayed due to Covid-19 lockdown.
Kochi Metro features:
- Kochi Metro’s unique feature is its themed metro stations.
- Based on the core theme of Western Ghats Kochi Metro has selected various themes such as Kerala’s heritage, culture, art etc.
- For the Petta Metro Station KMRL has chosen Fishing as the theme with a dedication to the fishermen community of the state.
- The Automated Fare Collection (AFC) system is a critical core component of any Metro system.
- KMRL has developed a unique PPP model where in the capital investment as well as the maintenance cost is taken care by a bank and in return the bank to have a co-branded card for Kochi Metro System.
- This was the first time such an innovative model was launched and is expected to change funding models for AFC systems in the metro industry globally.
- Kochi Metro has dedicated walls for the fishermen community who saved thousands during the 2018 Kerala floods.
- KMRL has engaged persons from the LGBT community in its operations, thus becoming the first organization to appoint transgender persons in the country.
Kochi Water Metro Project:
- KMRL is all set to implement Kochi Water Metro Project at the cost of Rs 747 crore with the financial assistance of German Bank, KFW.
- Kochi is the first city in the country wherein water transport has been integrated as a feeder service to the metro.
- On 24.08.2020, the plate-cutting ceremony of Kochi Water Metro’s 100 pax Hybrid Electric passenger boat was held at Cochin Shipyard Limited (CSL).
- The boats will have a capacity to carry 100 passengers each and will be powered by an electric propulsion system equipped with lithium titanium oxide batteries.
- CSL will deliver the state of the art Vessels for Kochi Water Metro by this year end.
- The construction of the Water Metro is progressing at a faster pace.
- The Kochi Water Metro project envisages the development of 15 identified routes, connecting 10 islands along a network of routes that span 78 km with a fleet of 78 fast, electrically propelled hybrid ferries plying to 38 jetties.
- More than 1,00,000 islanders are expected to benefit from the water metro.
- With the introduction of the project that connects 15 routes, Kochiites can reach the mainland in less time.
Source: PIB-Press Release | Image Credit: KMRL
