Kochi Metro Rail Ltd Board clears city development plan

KOCHI: The Kochi Metro Rail Ltd (KMRL) has submitted the comprehensive mobility plan and the related study reports developed for Kochi to the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs and the state government for further action.The studies focus mainly on implementing a set of measures designed to improve transportation in the Greater Kochi agglomeration area. Meanwhile, the 27th meeting of the board of directors of KMRL held in Kochi the other day analysed the studies conducted for the improvement of the urban mass transportation sector.

As advised by KMRL chairman Durga Shanker Mishra in the 26th board meeting, a detailed presentation on Urban Transport Studies undertaken by KMRL under the Central Finance Scheme of the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs was conducted before the board members. The studies pertained to developing a Comprehensive Mobility Plan and Parking Master Plan, formulating Integrated Public Transport (IPT) Solutions and chalking out a Non-motorised Transport (NMT) Master Plan for Kochi city.

The master plan deals with integrated strategies for addressing traffic congestion, improved safety, air quality and environment-friendly initiatives, better quality of life and opportunities for economic development. “The Parking Policy and Master Plan, accompanied with proper parking management measures, will form an ideal tool for Kochi to promote sustainable transport modes like walk, cycle, ferry, bus and metro. The policy will incorporate planning, regulation, information, technology and economic measures,” according to the report.

The master plan will develop a perspective plan for sustainable urban transport over a 20 year period. The board of directors also approved the appointment of Durga Shanker Mishra - Secretary, Urban Development Ministry - as KMRL chairman in place of Rajiv Gauba. The board has also approved the appointment of a new member Ajit Pandit as director in place of Anirudh Jain from the Railway Board. The meeting also approved the resignation of the director, systems of KMRL, and constituted a committee for the selection of a new director.  The report on commencement of commercial operations of Reach–I, from Aluva to Palarivattom, and the progress report on the status of the next reach was submitted to the board for perusal. 

Increased ridership
The service extension of Kochi Metro to the city centre has also resulted in an increase in ridership. The KMRL authorities were also pinning hopes on an increased ridership through the service extension up to Maharaja's College from Palarivattom. On Tuesday, the total ridership of Kochi Metro from Aluva to Maharaja's College was 23,610 passengers. The total revenue was Rs 8.15 lakh.On Wednesday, till 7 pm, the total revenue stood at Rs 8.98 lakh with a total ridership of 24,500. The figures are likely to go up by the weekend.