Metro Gree Drive

Kochi Metro’s stations and mini-cities planned at Muttom and Kakkanad will be designed and constructed as per green building norms.

The emphasis will be on making optimal use of natural light and wind so that reliance on power and air conditioning is minimal.

A similar method would be adopted when the metro became operational, said Kochi Metro Rail Limited (KMRL) managing director Elias George and Indian Green Building Council (IGBC) chairman B.R. Ajith, at a joint press conference convened here.

Care will be taken during designing and construction to ensure that these structures are eco-friendly. The metro would emphasise on ‘regenerative braking’, where energy generated when the trains brake would be stored and reused, Mr. George said.

Mr. Ajith said construction activities, unscientific design and lighting, and the obsession for air-conditioning together accounted for 40 per cent of global carbon footprint. “Our joint endeavour is to ensure that the metro fully conforms to standards laid down for green architecture. Water usage will be minimum and emphasis will be given on re-circulating it. Plants commonly available regionally and those that need minimal watering will be used for landscaping.”

Speaking about the need to lessen pollution and reliance on conventional energy sources, Mr. George, who is also chairman of Kochi’s Unified Metropolitan Transportation Authority (UMTA), said encouraging non-motorised transport such as bicycles would bring down pollution and reliance on fuel.

To a question on metro’s afforestation programme to compensate the felling of 400-odd trees for the project, he said a ‘planting plan’ would soon be readied with the help of public sector units and the Kochi Corporation. “The locations and types of trees have to be identified. Details like installing tree guards too have to be worked out. Works like nurturing the saplings will be outsourced.”

On KMRL’s plans to take over the renovation and upkeep of Subhash Park, Mr. George said the Mayor was keen on the initiative and an interim plan was being charted out. He added the agency planned to install sign boards across the city as part of its corporate social responsibility (CSR).

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/

New house for sale at aluva

Homestays in Kochi are here to stay

A homestay is new development in Kochi, an intercity living in Kerala, in which a person visiting or temporarily staying in Kochi, lives with a family in the Town or nearby area. Homestays involve relationships between people and it should not be linked with a boarding-house or hotel experience, in which they only rent rooms. While students pay their own expenses for room and stay, the purpose of an intercity homestay is not just to provide a place to stay but to create an enriching learning experience for both the student and the host family. The homestays in Kochi sometimes comes in the place of Hostal or Hotel accommodation for the employed people as well as for those making a short visit to the town. While choosing a homestay and while giving a home stay, particularly the host should be very careful.

Let us assess the situation:

The host should always be careful and vigilant. Modern day boys are very forward and they sometimes do not give much importance to cultural values. They should not be allowed to take advantage of the situation.  These students should not be allowed to stay alone in the house, bring their friends – both male and female friends to the home, ie., there should be someone in the house always to take control of the situation if something fishy happens.

Homestays are good and useful for students, but they are not ideal for every student and every situation. Homestays are probably most helpful for students coming to the Kochi for the first time and interested in having a safe, family environment in which, getting used to life in a different city and different family; learn about their family life and values; interact with people of different ages; and share their own culture and interests. Homestay students must be willing to make an effort to communicate and cooperate with others and accept the rules and preferences of the families with whom they live. For example, most homestay families do not allow smoking in their homes. Because of the additional responsibility involved, students seeking a homestay should be mature, stable individuals who are good natured and flexible. Such students usually have a positive and memorable homestay experience.

There are many different kinds of families involved: retired couples, single-parent families, single individuals, widows, as well as traditional families. But whether they are young or old, with or without children, they all share a strong interest in good-natured, well mannered people. Many of them have traveled or lived abroad, so they can identify with you. They are excited to welcome you into their homes and assist you in your adjustment to life there.

Like families all over Kerala, most families are interdependent, which means that individuals often must give up some of their own independence in order to help family relationships run smoothly. Living with a family requires a kind of cooperation that sometimes involves some personal sacrifices. A student becomes like a member of the family, not a guest. As a result, families may have certain expectations of students such as participation in family activities, cleaning their rooms, keeping reasonable hours, communicating clearly with the family about their schedules, and occasionally helping with cooking or other household duties.

There are many benefits of a homestay. First of all, a homestay allows students to communicate effectively and interact with strangers and be one of them. Second, living with a family provides a quiet atmosphere for study and a greater sense of security for some students. Third, a homestay exposes students to a rich variety of cultural learning opportunities, such as family activities, holiday celebrations, religious practices, sporting events, etc. Finally, and perhaps most importantly, a homestay often results in students developing deep, lasting friendships with their families. Such a personal connection gives many students a real sense of stability in their lives, and what they get in their own homes.

www.kochiplaza.com is always there in Kochi to help those in need of homestays or good trustworthy hosts. For more information visit our real estate website www.kochiplaza.com

River Frontage Property at Aluva, Kerala

The river frontage properties at Aluva are attracting investors from across the country to Kerala, but the beauty of these projects is that they are not spoiling the beauty of the rivers.  Aluva Municipality is also taking measures to see that the river banks are not chosen for construction, ie., the builders who chose to build flats or villas with river view should leave the required land from the river to the site of construction.  This leaves the properties to have adequate space on the riverside and construction is not allowed on the river side, yet allowing the builders to have the full review since nothing is constructed there to hinder the river view.  The people are also benefited this way.