Kochi metro on a move for a greener, pollution-free Kochi

Kochi Metro Rail Ltd (KMRL) will not only run the Metro in three years but is also going to make the city greener and pollution- free.

Kochi is one of the most popular commercial hub and a tourist paradise in Kerala.  According to estimated figures, Present Population of Kochi city is 624,859. There are more than 2,277,620 people living in Total Metropolitan Area of Kochi. Think about the number of vehicles for these many people. The number of vehicles in the city has increased from 95,488 in 2010 to 1,11,284 in 2011. As on August 31, 2012, the total number of vehicles registered in Ernakulam is 5,38,712. The studies pointed out that two-wheelers constituted the major share of vehicle population in the district with a share of over 59%. With the above statistics, can you imagine how much pollution are we causing to our small city?

Metro rail, as we all know, when commissioned, can reduce approximately 80% of the pollution caused by vehicle. This can only be possible if more people use public transport system. And that is exactly what our Government is aiming at. They are literally shaping up a new Kochi. The existing public transport modes like buses, auto rickshaws, boat services, etc., will all be modified, so as to benefit the most to the commuters who rely on it.

Not just that, KMRL is also on a move to make the city greener. KMRL will launch a three-layered environment conservation programme soon with the support of green groups, NGOs and big corporates. A detailed project report and budget for this green initiative will be finalised soon.

The first part of the programme will be distributing saplings to major institutions including schools, colleges and offices in the city. The KMRL is also planning to partner with public sector companies and other big institutions in the state which have vast areas of vacant land. “We, along with big institutions across the state, will plant trees in the available land and will nurture them.

The programme has much significance as environment activists have raised serious concerns over the possible loss of green cover to make way for the Metro project. Nearly 467 trees in various parts of the city have to be cut for the project.

Imagine, A smarter Kochi with efficient, most modern facilities that too without losing the city’s beauty. Being the real ‘Queen of the Arabian sea’ is not too far.

Source: http://kochimetro.org/kochi-metro-on-a-move-for-a-greener-pollution-free-kochi/

Kochi Metro to be given higher assistance

The French financial agency  Agence Francaise de Development (AFD)   has in principle agreed to enhance the funding of kochi metro  to 180 million euros (amounting to Rs 1,400 crores)30 million up from the initial offer of  150 million euros. The agency’s offer of Rs 1,400 crores at 2% interest comes with tenure of 20 years and a moratorium of 9 years. The original cost of the Kochi Metro project was 5181.79 crores, but this later increased to 5537.25crores.  The Central Government will make a contribution   of 1002.23 crores, the Government of Kerala will contribute 1772.23 crores and 2174 crores were to be raised from external agencies as loan.

The Director Board of Kochi Metro Rail Limited entrusted MD, KMRL to find alternate funding options for the project as advised by DEA (Department of Economic Affairs). As part of it, Representatives of Agence Francaise de Development (AFD) met the KMRL team on 18th & 19th of March, 2013. The agency had detailed discussions with KMRL MD Elias George and other senior officials. They also visited the project alignment from Aluva to Petta to understand the project better.  Based on the inputs received from the pre-appraisal mission team of AFD, a formal detailed- appraisal mission team visited Kochi from 25th- 27th April, 2013.

The team led by Xavier Hoang, AFD’s senior transport expert  did a detailed analysis of the project and expressed satisfaction on its progress. It also held discussions regarding the funding of the project. As a follow up to this, the next appraisal mission of AFD would be visiting the city on September 16. The AFD team that will visit Kochi in September mainly intends to analyze the Resettlement and Rehabilitation Policy and the socio-environmental aspects of the Metro Rail.  It is expected that the proposal would be considered by the Board of AFD slated for November 2013 and the loan agreement between KMRL and AFD would be signed on February 2014.For the remaining external borrowing for the project, KMRL is pinning its hopes on the loan from the Japan International Co-operation Agency.

Source: http://blog.kochimetro.org/2013/08/31/afd-to-give-higher-assistance-for-kochi-metro/

Kochi Metro

It is a fitting recognition of Kochi’s growing importance on the urban map of India that the Union Government have sanctioned the Kochi Metro Rail Project to Kerala in July 2012.  Kochi is the first tier-2 city in the country to be granted a metro under the Union Government’s scheme; whereby the Government of India and the State Government are equal equity partners in KMRL. As we all know, the active pursuit of the project by the State Government was largely instrumental in obtaining this sanction. Consequently, the foundation stone for Kochi Metro Rail was laid by the Hon’ble Prime Minister of India on 13th September 2012 at Kochi.

After the project was sanctioned, the Govt. of Kerala and the Board of Kochi Metro Rail Ltd. took a decision to nominate DMRC as the executing agency for the project, in view of the company’s proven expertise in the area. KMRL have set themselves very tight timelines for the completion of the Kochi Metro Rail project and the company is confident that the timeline would be more than equal to this task.

Kochi Metro and DMRC have recently concluded an agreement for the implementation of the project, which attempts to balance the roles and responsibilities of both organizations, while ensuring the project is completed on time.  A key feature of this agreement is that a part of the project executing team would be staff recruited by KMRL and seconded to DMRC. Joint consultative and co-ordination mechanisms have also been incorporated into the Agreement for ensuring that both organizations work seamlessly for the efficient and timely execution of the project.

Around 45% of the project cost is proposed to be funded by borrowings, for which KMRL is looking at a funding package comprising of domestic debt as well as external loans. In view of the tight schedules for the project, KMRL’s funding plan is to source domestic funds immediately and to avail overseas loans as soon as they become available.

KMRL  plans to build a cost effective metro for Kochi, while at the same time ensuring that the modern features available in metros worldwide are available to the commuters of Kochi also. This is the reason for the introduction of the CBTC system which will enhance train operation efficiency and safety.

The Govt. of Kerala have been kind enough to allot around 17 acres of land at Kakkanad to KMRL on  a long term lease basis, where plans are being done to set up a modern urban amenity centre, with a variety of facilities for Kochinites. At the Kakkanad facility, KMRL plans to have a mix of urban amenities, shopping centres, recreational spaces as well as commercial complexes which will not only add value to the city, but also enhance the revenues of KMRL. The proposed metro village at Muttom will also show case the best that the city has to offer.

KMRL in conjunction with the State Government as well as Cochin Corporation and GCDA will also lead an effort to modernize and improve the total transportation network of Kochi by implementing the concept of the Unified Metropolitan Transport Authority (UMTA) where all the transportations system in the city will function together seamlessly.

Kochi metro is a project that will change the face of Kochi. The wholehearted support of all citizens of Kochi is necessary for realizing this vision. The minor inconveniences during the time of construction, without doubt, would be looked over by the enlightened people of Kochi for this common endeavour.

Let’s look forward to the inaugural run of the metro trains in this beautiful city of ours.

Source: http://blog.kochimetro.org/2013/07/04/kochi-metro-the-story-afar/

Kakkanad, in perfect tune with the future

Once an unassuming suburb of Kochi, Kakkanad is now its fastest developing residential and commercial destination, and is even slated to be Kochi’s future Central Business District.

This picturesque hilly region is becoming the preferred work and residential address of several corporate houses including MNCs, who find that this leafy valley brings them closer to their lifestyle aspirations..

The fortunes of Kakkanad began to change with the shifting of the Civil Station, headquarters of the city administration, from Ernakulam to Kakkanad, and the setting up of the Special Economic Processing Zone (SEPZ) in the area. A recent decision to shift all central government offices to Kakkanad from Ernakulam will further enhance the value of this scenic neighbourhood.

The completion of the Seaport-Airport Road and the proximity to National Highway 47 have given an impetus to the growth and development of Kakkanad. Availability of quality ground water, more open roads, good connectivity and modern infrastructure have added to its appeal.

Kakkanad is home to reputed educational institutes including those for engineering, medicine and management. There are plans afoot for a Bus Terminal, through which all the buses for Kochi will need to enter. Also on the anvil, are plans for an FM station and the Kakkanad Medical Centre, which will include a 100 bed hospital.

New Town Heights, DLF Kakkanad - a residential estate, has the enchanting scenic beauty of a mountain valley, with its gently sloping hills and lush green surroundings. Yet, it has excellent access to the rest of Kochi, being on the Seaport-Airport Road, just 750 mts from the Collectorate and within 200 mts of the Kochi Special Economic Zone (CSEZ), Muthoot Technopolis, the Info Park, the KINFRA Park, the Bio Tech Park and the fast developing Smart City. This much sought after residential estate offers residents not only superb accommodation options but also the lifestyle privileges of having an excellent clubhouse, shopping and even office facilities within its precincts.

Source: http://www.dlf.in/dlf/wcm/connect/dlf_home/Homes/Homes/Projects/New+Projects/New+Town+Heights+Kakkanad/