Metro rail work at MG road

French agency to take final call on loan for Kochi metro by November-end

Piling on Kochi Metro’s first civil works’ site on MG Road is all set to begin this weekend. On Thursday, the Chennai Silks-Hotel Abad Plaza stretch on MG Road was barricaded and traffic limited to one lane. Though metro stakeholders stated that civil works along the Madhava Pharmacy Junction-Jos Junction portion of MG Road could be completed in six months’ time, sources said it might take more time.

This is because the earlier plan was to complete the construction of the viaduct over the arterial road in a single stretch. Now, work is likely be carried out simultaneously in different places.

The ongoing work will not severely affect traffic movement as vehicles can use Chitoor Road and Shanmugham Road – located parallel to MG Road. Parking has been banned on either side of the piling site.

After dithering for a while over permitting barricading of the 175-metre stretch, the traffic police finally agreed to DMRC’s plans, after a meeting held with senior KMRL officials on Thursday.

DMRC’s Principal Advisor E. Sreedharan visited the northern end of the proposed piling site on Thursday, within a few hours of the barricades being placed. Soma Constructions is engaged in constructing the metro’s viaduct from international stadium up to Ernakulam South.

Though there is concern at the delay in acquiring land to widen narrow portions of MG Road, sources said this would be done simultaneously with the civil works, to cause least inconvenience to road users. Electric posts and other utilities too will be shifted likewise. However, there is concern at Kochi Corporation’s unwillingness to widen Rajaji Road and its narrow bell mouth in front of Abad Plaza Hotel.

Though there were plans to divert KSRTC buses through AL Jacob overbridge, this might not materialise soon as a few cents of GCDA land, currently being used as pay-and-park lot, is yet to be acquired.

French loan

In a related development, the French agency AFD is likely to make a final commitment on giving a Rs.1,600 crore- loan to the metro by November end. The final appraisal mission led by Alain Ries, Head of the transport and energy division (Paris), along with Xavier Hoang, urban transport expert and Project Manager for Kochi metro (Paris), and Gautier Kohler, Project Coordinator (India), had detailed discussions regarding the progress on different aspects of the project. They expressed satisfaction on the progress of surveys and studies associated with the project.

The team held discussions on the progress on land acquisition, construction works, procurement plan and financial analysis. They also had deliberations with KMRL on the initiatives taken on Transit Oriented Development (TOD) and Unified Metropolitan Transport Authority (UMTA).

During their three-day mission, the AFD team had a quick site inspection and spent the rest of the time to understand the progress in social impact study, relief and rehabilitation policy, TOD plan. They held discussions with stakeholders of UMTA, whose chairman is KMRL’s MD Elias George.

“The discussions with the AFD team have been extremely satisfying, and the loan approval would hopefully be communicated to KMRL by the year-end,” Mr George said. He expressed satisfaction about the AFD team’s willingness to provide separate technical assistance for preparing a workable action plan for the realisation of UMTA on the ground.

Road map

Mr. George said the French team had sought a road map for UMTA and TOD, within three months’ time. “Our consultants will prepare the road map.”

He said the project’s ‘financial closure’ (assurances on funding) would hopefully be over by early December.

KMRL has already assigned agencies for preparing reports on traffic survey, social impact, rehabilitation policy and TOD plan. The delegation is expected to submit their report by October so their board can take a decision in November 2013.

Source: http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Kochi/kochi-metro-piling-works-on-mg-road-set-to-begin/article5147094.ece

Overbridges to come to kochi

The National Transportation Planning and Research Centre (NATPAC) has recommended skywalks or foot overbridges in multiple points in the city.

The recommendations find a place in a report on the pedestrian friendly urban public transport for Kochi drawn up by NATPAC at the instance of the State Town Planning Department.

“We have recommended a skywalk between the High Court jetty and the proposed Metro station at the Madhava Pharmacy with ramping at Saritha theatre and St. Albert’s College. The construction of a one-kilometre-long skywalk costs about Rs. 40 crore. This particular stretch comes to about 0.60 kilometre and can be set up at an investment of Rs. 30 crore,” T. Elangovan, scientist-G and head of Traffic and Transportation Division of NATPAC, toldThe Hindu on the sidelines of a seminar on the role of development authorities in city planning and development organised by the Greater Cochin Development Authority here on Wednesday.

NATPAC had also considered a skywalk between Ernakulam boat jetty and the Maharajas College ground metro station. But the Hospital Road was found too narrow to accommodate a pillar for the proposed skywalk. It was found advisable to defer it for the future if and when land acquisition becomes possible, he said.

In addition to that, skywalks have been proposed between the North and the metro station at Lissie, Kaloor bus stand and Kaloor metro station and the Vyttila junction. “Crossing the Vyttila junction at peak time can take up to ten minutes during peak hours. A skywalk is the best option to facilitate easy crossing and access to Vytilla mobility hub and the nearby metro station,” Mr. Elangovan said.

The NATPAC study covered the central business district of the city, five major travel corridors, 16 minor roads, and 24 intersections thereof.

Keywords: Kochi foot overbridges, National Transportation Planning and Research, Kochi High Court jetty, Kochi traffic, Kochi metro

Source:  http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Kochi/more-foot-overbridges-in-kochi/article5218803.ece

seaport-airport road second phase

Work on 14-km road between HMT and Nedumbassery estimated to cost over Rs.660 crore; land acquisition to cost Rs.400 crore

Work on the second phase of the Seaport-Airport road is gathering steam, with the rains receding and the contract being already awarded for Section B that falls between Mahilalayam and Chowara.

The road will be extended up to the airport in phase two.

Site clearance work is nearing completion and piling is about to begin on Aluvathuruthu, a riverine island near Aluva, from where a bridge will be built over Thoombathodu, a branch of the Periyar. The bridge on the island will be one of the two over the Periyar and will form a major part of the extended Seaport-Airport Road between HMT Road and Nedumbasserry.

The piling work had been delayed by heavy rains in June and July and reports that the Idukki dam might be opened as the water level reached 98 per cent of the storage capacity in late September. However, with the threat of rain abating, work is expected to gather pace.

Approximately 14 km between HMT and Nedumbassery form the second phase of the Seaport-Airport Road. The stretch has been divided into three sections.

Section A lies between Kalamassery and Mahilalayam on the Aluva-Perumbavoor Road; Section B is between Mahilalayam and Chowara on the Aluva-Kalady Road and Section C is between Chowara and the Cochin International Airport.

Section A has again been sub-divided into three reaches to help launch the work. Work on the reach between Kalamassery and NAD has taken off with the land acquisition notification being already issued.

Government has sanctioned Rs. 97 crore for acquisition of around 30 acres for the four-lane road. The other reaches under Section A are NAD-Ashokapuram and Ashokapuram-Mahilalayam.

The second phase of the road work is estimated to cost over Rs. 660 crore of which about Rs. 400 crore will go into land acquisition.

FOUR-LANING

The government has given administrative sanction for the release of Rs. 25 crore for beginning four-laning work between Irumbanam and HMT Road, which formed the first phase of the Seaport-Airport Road project.

Tender for the section between HMT Road and Bharat Mata College has been awarded and survey works are in progress.

The work may suffer a little delay on account of the presence of a large number of crucial pipelines that runs along the Seaport-Airport Road.

These include a water pipeline to BPCL’s Kochi Refinery and the oil company’s aviation turbine fuel line.

Roads and Bridges Development Corporation of Kerala (RBDCK) which is executing the work, is learnt to have submitted a proposal for Rs. 212 crore for completion of the four-laning work.

Source: http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Kochi/phase-2-of-seaportairport-road-gathers-steam/article5201777.ece

Post Commen

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/