Tuesday 25 June 2013

Kochi metro You Tube

  1. Kochi Metro mov - YouTube

    www.youtube.com/watch?v=wx_92OdyX0c
    Jun 7, 2013 - Uploaded by asianetnews
    E.Sreedharan visits Kochi Metro sites [Reporter HD]by reporterlivechannelFeatured 1,535 · 43:04. Watch ...
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Kochi Metro commissioned in 1,095 days

Project will be commissioned in 1095 days, affirms CM at inauguration

“The Kochi Metro Rail project will be commissioned in 1,095 days and the countdown clock has begun ticking from today,” Chief Minister Oommen Chandy said on Friday.
He was speaking here after setting the civil works for the project rolling. The project’s executing agency — DMRC — will soon install digital countdown clocks at its city office and project sites.
DMRC’s Principal Advisor E. Sreedharan had said that DMRC could complete the project in three years if funds and land were made available on time.
A few thousands of people who came to witness the function at the international stadium in Kaloor gave a thunderous applause as the piling at a 200-metre-long barricaded stretch in Edapally was streamed live at the inaugural venue. A simulated audio-video presentation of a metro train zooming past landmarks in the 25-km-long Aluva-MG Road-Pettah corridor took the audience through how the metro will change the face of Kochi.
The works would go on without break for even a single day, Mr Chandy said.

Mono rails

The chief minister said the preliminary works for mono-rail projects in Thiruvananthapuram and Kozhikode would begin by August. “The tender documents are ready and a consultancy agreement with DMRC will be inked within a week.”
In his address, Mr E. Sreedharan said tenders for the metro’s civil works had been finalised. “Tenders have been invited for signals and coaches. They will be finalised by December.” He called upon commuters to cooperate with traffic hassles if any, when civil works are on.
Safe, economical and comfortable transportation modes were critical for planned urbanisation since they hold the key to economic growth, said the Union Urban Development Secretary Sudhir Krishna. “They are also social equalisers. In Kochi, the metro rail must be integrated with bus and boat transport.” He said 10,000 more low-floor buses would roll out in cities under the JNNURM scheme.
P. Rajeev, MP, who was on the forefront of the campaign for the metro rail, called for time-bound completion of the metro because there was already a nine-month delay in kick-starting the works after the Prime Minister laid its foundation stone in September 2012.
There were allegations that the delay occurred following attempts to keep DMRC away from the project. Mr. Rajeev highlighted the role played by the media and various organisations in speeding up the decision-making process. He called upon the railways to allot stop for more trains at Tripunithura and Kalamassery railway stations, since commuting to the city will be tough when metro works begin. “At least two more MEMU trains must operate from Kochi to decongest highways.” He also wanted the South overbridge widening works to be given to DMRC.
Union Minister of State for Food and Consumer Affairs K.V Thomas called for extending the metro to major towns in Kochi’s suburbs.
The MD of KMRL, Elias George, said the agency’s employees will acquire requisite skills from DMRC (for extending the metro to towns in suburbs). KMRL would benefit from the revenue got from the commercial development of 17 acres of land at Kakkanad and the development of the metro village at Muttom, he said.
Mayor Tony Chammany demanded the introduction of feeder bus and boat services to metro stations.
DMRC’s Chief Engineer Keshav Chandran spoke of how 200-metre stretches would be barricaded for 75 days, for piling, building pillars and to launch girders. “One pile will be drilled per day. Traffic wardens will regulate vehicles. The slush from piling sites will be removed without affecting traffic. The wheels of vehicles leaving construction sites will be washed.”
To clear doubts lingering in the minds of people whether metro works will rob the city of its avenue trees, the answer came in the end. Tree saplings were given to everyone who attended the function.
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Friday 9 November 2012

കൊച്ചി മെട്രോ: ആന്റണി ഇടപെട്ടു; തടസ്സങ്ങള്‍ നീങ്ങിത്തുടങ്ങി
Posted on: 10 Nov 2012

പി.കെ.മണികണ്ഠന്‍


ന്യൂഡല്‍ഹി: കൊച്ചി മെട്രോ പദ്ധതി ഡി.എം.ആര്‍.സി.യെ ഏല്‍പ്പിക്കുന്നതിനുള്ള തടസ്സം നീക്കാന്‍ പ്രതിരോധമന്ത്രി എ.കെ. ആന്റണി മുന്നിട്ടിറങ്ങുന്നു.

അദ്ദേഹത്തിന്റെ നേതൃത്വത്തില്‍ കേരളത്തില്‍ നിന്നുള്ള കേന്ദ്രമന്ത്രിമാര്‍ വെള്ളിയാഴ്ച കേന്ദ്ര നഗരവികസനമന്ത്രി കമല്‍നാഥുമായി പ്രാഥമിക ചര്‍ച്ച നടത്തി. ഹരിയാണയിലെ സൂരജ്കുണ്ഡില്‍ കോണ്‍ഗ്രസ് ചര്‍ച്ചാ സമ്മേളനം നടക്കുന്നതിനിടയിലായിരുന്നു ഈ കൂടിക്കാഴ്ച. അടുത്തയാഴ്ചയോടെ നടക്കുന്ന ഉന്നതതല യോഗത്തില്‍ കൊച്ചി മെട്രോ ഡി.എം.ആര്‍.സി.യെ ഏല്‍പ്പിക്കുന്നത് സംബന്ധിച്ച് ധാരണയുണ്ടാകും.

പ്രവാസികാര്യമന്ത്രി വയലാര്‍ രവി, ഭക്ഷ്യ-പൊതുവിതരണ സഹമന്ത്രി പ്രൊഫ. കെ.വി.തോമസ് എന്നിവരും ആന്റണിക്കൊപ്പമുണ്ടായിരുന്നു. കൊച്ചി മെട്രോ നിര്‍മാണം ഡി.എം.ആര്‍.സി.യെ ഏല്‍പ്പിക്കണമെന്ന് മന്ത്രിമാര്‍ കമല്‍നാഥിനോട് ആവശ്യപ്പെട്ടു. എന്നാല്‍, പദ്ധതി ഏറ്റെടുക്കുന്നതിലെ ചില പ്രായോഗിക ബുദ്ധിമുട്ടുകള്‍ അദ്ദേഹം വിവരിച്ചു. ഡി.എം.ആര്‍.സി.യുടെ ജോലിഭാരവും ചൂണ്ടിക്കാട്ടി.

ഹരിയാണയിലേക്കുള്ള മെട്രോ പാതയുടെയും നിര്‍മാണച്ചുമതല ഡി.എം.ആര്‍.സി.ക്കാണ്. ഡി.എം.ആര്‍.സി. ഡല്‍ഹി സര്‍ക്കാറിന്റെ ധനസഹായത്തോടെ പ്രവര്‍ത്തിക്കുന്നതായതിനാല്‍ സംസ്ഥാനത്തിന്റെ പണം മറ്റു പദ്ധതികള്‍ക്ക് വിനിയോഗിക്കേണ്ടി വരുമോയെന്നുള്ള ആശങ്കയും കമല്‍നാഥ് പങ്കുവെച്ചു. ഇ. ശ്രീധരന്റെ സേവനം ഉപയോഗപ്പെടുത്തി കൊച്ചി മെട്രോ റെയില്‍ ലിമിറ്റഡിന് (കെ.എം.ആര്‍.എല്‍.) സ്വന്തം നിലയില്‍ പദ്ധതി നടപ്പാക്കിക്കൂടേയെന്നും കമല്‍നാഥ് ചോദിച്ചു.

എന്നാല്‍, കൊച്ചി മെട്രോ പദ്ധതി ഡി.എം.ആര്‍.സി. തന്നെ ഏറ്റെടുക്കണമെന്നാണ് കേരളത്തിന്റെ പൊതുവികാരമെന്ന് ആന്റണിയും സംഘവും അറിയിച്ചു. കേരളത്തിലെ കോണ്‍ഗ്രസ്സിനും ഇതേ അഭിപ്രായമാണുള്ളതെന്നും അവര്‍ വ്യക്തമാക്കി. അങ്ങനെയെങ്കില്‍ എ.കെ. ആന്റണിയുടെ നേതൃത്വത്തില്‍ ഒരു യോഗം വിളിച്ചാല്‍ താന്‍ പങ്കെടുക്കാമെന്നും അപ്പോള്‍ ചര്‍ച്ചചെയ്തു തീരുമാനമെടുക്കാമെന്നും കമല്‍നാഥ് വ്യക്തമാക്കി. കൊച്ചി മെട്രോയ്ക്ക് അനുകൂലമായ മറുപടിയാണ് വെള്ളിയാഴ്ച കമല്‍നാഥില്‍ നിന്ന് ലഭിച്ചതെന്ന് കേന്ദ്രമന്ത്രി കെ.വി. തോമസ് പറഞ്ഞു. ഇപ്പോഴുള്ള തടസ്സങ്ങള്‍ തുടര്‍ന്നുള്ള ചര്‍ച്ചയിലൂടെ പരിഹരിക്കാമെന്നും അദ്ദേഹം അഭിപ്രായപ്പെട്ടു.

കൊച്ചി മെട്രോ പദ്ധതി നിര്‍ബന്ധമായും ഡി.എം.ആര്‍.സി.യെ ഏല്‍പ്പിക്കാന്‍ തീരുമാനിക്കണമെന്ന് കമല്‍നാഥിനോട് ആവശ്യപ്പെട്ടതായി പ്രവാസികാര്യ മന്ത്രി വയലാര്‍ രവി മാധ്യമപ്രവര്‍ത്തകരെ അറിയിച്ചു.

മന്ത്രി, പ്രായോഗിക ബുദ്ധിമുട്ടുകള്‍ അറിയിച്ചെങ്കിലും ഇക്കാര്യത്തില്‍ തീരുമാനം നീട്ടാന്‍ കഴിയില്ലെന്ന് തങ്ങള്‍ അദ്ദേഹത്തെ അറിയിച്ചു. തുടര്‍ന്ന് ഇതിന്റെ ഭാഗമായി ഒരു യോഗം വിളിച്ചു ചര്‍ച്ച നടത്താന്‍ ധാരണയായി. അടുത്തയാഴ്ചയോടെ ചര്‍ച്ച നടക്കുമെന്നും വയലാര്‍ രവി അറിയിച്ചു.

കൊച്ചി മെട്രോ ഡി.എം.ആര്‍.സി.യെ ഏല്‍പ്പിക്കുന്നത് ഒരു രാഷ്ട്രീയ തീരുമാനമെന്ന നിലയില്‍ കേരളത്തിലെ കേന്ദ്രമന്ത്രിമാര്‍ കമല്‍നാഥിനെ അറിയിച്ചെന്നാണ് സൂചനകള്‍.

നവംബര്‍ 17-ന് ഡി.എം.ആര്‍.സി. ഡയറക്ടര്‍ ബോര്‍ഡ് യോഗം നിശ്ചയിച്ചിട്ടുള്ളതിനാല്‍ അതിനുമുമ്പായി ഉന്നതതലയോഗം ചേര്‍ന്ന് തീരുമാനമുണ്ടാവാനാണ് സാധ്യത. പദ്ധതി ഡി.എം.ആര്‍.സി.യെ ഏല്‍പ്പിക്കുന്നതിന് ഡല്‍ഹി സര്‍ക്കാര്‍ സമ്മതമറിയിച്ചെങ്കിലും കേന്ദ്ര നഗരവികസന മന്ത്രാലയത്തിന്റെ എതിര്‍പ്പ് തുടരുകയായിരുന്നു.
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Tuesday 6 November 2012

Kochi Metro

 

Decision on Kochi Metro to wait as CM puts off Delhi trip

 
 
Thiruvananthapuram, Nov. 6: 
A decision on starting work on Kochi Metro project would now have to wait after Chief Minister Oommen Chandy postponed a trip to Delhi.
He was scheduled to travel to the national capital later this week to meet Kamal Nath, Minister for Urban Development, and Sheila Dikshit, Chief Minister of Delhi.

POLITICAL SOLUTION

The Delhi Government holds 50 per cent stake in Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC), the contractor of choice for implementing the Kochi Metro project.
Chandy is determined to find a ‘political solution’ to the issue and was scheduled to meet even the Prime Minister during his stay on Wednesday and Thursday.
The trip has been cancelled mainly because the non-availability of Kamal Nath, who is travelling abroad.
During an earlier meeting, the Union Minister had told the Chief Minister that DMRC was not in a position to spare resources for Kochi.
This had apparently upended the State Government’s plans for the dream metro rail project, which had come to entirely depend on the execution skills of DMRC.

RECENT DECISION

The State Government has all along maintained that DMRC, led earlier by E. Sreedharan, would implement the project.
The current standstill is attributed to a decision by the DMRC director board to secure its own approval before the metro rail operator undertakes work outside Delhi.
E. Sreedharan, who is now involved in the Kochi Metro project as a principal adviser, too was scheduled to travel to Delhi along with the Chief Minister.
Elias George, current managing director of special purpose vehicle Kochi Metro Rail Corporation Ltd (KMRL), would join them later.
But all plans seem to have come to a naught with sources doubting if the meeting would take place ahead of Diwali.

SREEDHARAN VISITS

Meanwhile, Sreedharan took a survey of a few project sites in Kochi on Monday.
He assessed paper work that the Kochi unit of DMRC had prepared to start civil works and also interacted with project personnel deployed at the spot.
DMRC is currently engaged in constructing a four-lane bridge in place of the existing two-lane one in the north of the city.
He asked engineers to expedite works so that lanes one and four can be opened to traffic this month as per schedule.

Land acquisition

Kochi Bureau adds: Kochi Metro Rail Ltd handed over Rs 10 crore to the district administration for land acquisition. Priority will be given to those who have offered consent to hand over the land.
“Land acquisition is the primary target for KMRL now as without the land in hand we cannot move further. We are trying to complete the land acquisition process as fast as possible so that we can be ready for construction at the earliest,” Elias George, MD, KMRL, said in a statement.
KMRL has asked for Rs 80 crore more for land acquisition and the Finance Department is considering the requisition on a priority basis, he added.
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Background

Model of metro rail station developed by DMRC for Kochi Metro.
On 22 December 2004, the Government of Kerala assigned the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) the task of preparing the detailed project report (DPR) for the Kochi Metro rail project. It was expected to start by 2006 and complete by 2010. But the project was delayed because the Central Government expressed serious doubts about the economic viability of the project.[6] The Kerala government had sought Central Government's assistance for the project to be built on the lines of the Delhi Metro project in terms of funding. The Centre refused this request.[7] The Union Government was in favour of implementing the project in public–private partnership (PPP), ruling out its own financial involvement. The Ministry of Urban Development and the Planning Commission were also against government investment in the project, and refused to accept it as a project in line with the Delhi and Chennai metros. The political rivalry between the LDF government in Kerala and the UPA government at the Centre was a major reason for such developments and the slow down in the project. The change in government in Kerala changed that scenario, making the Kochi Metro one of the top priorities of the UDF government.
Kochi Metro will follow the Chennai Metro and Delhi Metro models and will be implemented on a joint venture basis, with investments by the Central and State Governments. A cabinet decision was taken to form a special purpose vehicle (SPV) called Kochi Metro Rail Ltd. (KMRL) as per orders from Planning Commission and the Union Government for the implementation, operation and maintenance of the metro project.
On 22 March 2012, the Public Investment Board (PIB) gave clearance to the Kochi Metro project. With PIB recommendation, the project proposal would go to the Union Cabinet for the final approval.[8] It was decided that the contribution from the Union Government would be 20.26% of the total project cost which works out to be INR1,002.23 crore (US$189.42 million).[9] On 28 March 2012, at a KMRL board meeting, the decision was taken to officially entrust the Kochi Metro rail project work to the DMRC. The meeting also finalized the number of metro stations on the line as 22, instead of the earlier proposed 23.[10][11] On 3 July 2012, Union Government gave final clearance to the project. The decision was announced after the cabinet meeting in New Delhi. Addressing media persons, then Managing Director of KMRL, Tom Jose said, "Now we will sit down with our valued partner, DMRC, and chalk out the way forward, obtaining advice and guidance from former DMRC Chief, E Sreedharan. We aim to complete the project within a span of 3 to 4 years." [12]
On 14 August 2012, the state government reconstituted the Board of Directors of KMRL. Power Secretary Elias George was appointed as the new Managing Director, replacing Tom Jose. It is believed that Jose's differences with Sreedharan led to the decision.[13][14] Chief Minister Oommen Chandy stated that it was part of administrative decision. The rest of the board would comprise of Chief Secretary K Jayakumar, Finance Secretary V P Joy and Water Resources Principal Secretary V J Kurian. [15] The Central Government's nominees are Union Urban Development Secretary Sudhir Krishna as the ex-officio chairman of the KMRL Board, S. K. Lohia, Officer on Special Duty (Urban Transport); Jitendra Thyagi, Director (Works) of the DMRC; D. D. Pahuja, Director (Rolling Stock, Signalling and Electrical) of the Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation (BMRC) and A K Gupta, Additional Member (Works) of the Railway Board.[16] On 7 September 2012, the State Cabinet decided to induct the Ernakulam District Collector into the director board of KMRL. The move is expected to expedite land acquirement for the project and also pacify complaints KMRL was sidelining the efforts of the district administration. The first meeting of the reconstituted board was on 11 September 2012.[17]

Controversy over DMRC's role

In December 2011, Kerala Minister for Public Works V.K. Ebrahim Kunju indicated that work for the Kochi Metro project would be awarded by a global tender even though initial ground work of the project was started by DMRC. DMRC MD, E. Sreedharan said on a day before his retirement from DMRC that he was not interested in associating with the Kochi Metro project if the DMRC was not involved in the implementation of the project. The DMRC chief had expressed concern over KMRL's ability to complete the project in the specified time-frame as the latter lacked experience and expertise in implementing metro projects.[18] Citing the the examples of metros in Bangalore and Chennai, he said, "They decided to take up the work on their own but had to depend on the DMRC for many things. I did not want Kochi to make the same mistake." The main opposition party in the state the CPI(M), accused the government of trying to oust the DMRC from the project in order to pocket kickbacks.[19] The BJP also said that they believed the Chief Minister had a vested interest behind global tender.[20][21]
On 3 January 2012, Chief Minister Oommen Chandy stated that E. Sreedharan would have the last word on the metro project.[22] He stated that the State Government would not let go of the opportunity to benefit from the vast experience and expertise that Sreedharan had acquired by bringing to successful closure, and ahead of time, iconic infrastructure projects elsewhere in the country. Explaining the State Government's predicament, the Chief Minister said that the low-interest loan offer from the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) for the Kochi Metro project was something it could not afford to ignore. JICA was willing to extend the loan on condition that Kochi Metro floats a global tender. DMRC, who is a consultant to the project, had expressed the wish that the project be allotted to it without a tender.[23] On 11 January 2012, E. Sreedharan said that the JICA had agreed to extend loan for the Kochi Metro Rail project, even if global tenders are not called for appointing consultants. He said there was no need to call for global tenders for appointing general consultants as JICA had no objections in providing loans to the project if DMRC was entrusted with the work.[24] The state government decided to entrust Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) with the task of executing the project under the leadership of E Sreedharan, according to a decision taken by a meeting of the director board of the KMRL held in Thiruvananthapuram on 10 July 2012.[25]
Putting to rest all controversies regarding Sreedharan’s role in the implementation of the Kochi Metro, Aryadan Mohammed, Minister for Power and Transport and the Vice Chairman of Existing Board of Directors, said that the Kerala Government had decided as early as in March 2010 that Sreedharan would be in charge of the project. "There are no doubts about this. It was the Kerala Cabinet which had taken this decision and there would be no change in it," he said.[26] Aryadam Mohammed said the board would be reconstituted with five nominees from the Centre. Sudhir Krishna, secretary, ministry of urban affairs, would be the chairman of the new board as per the earlier decision by the Union cabinet.[27] The Union Urban Development Ministry later issued a directive to the state government to ensure that no contract is given to any party by the DMRC without approaval of the director board of KMRL.[28]
On 26 September 2012, former KMRL Managing Director Tom Jose, wrote a letter to Union Urban Development Secretary Sudhir Krishna enquiring if the work on the Kochi Metro had the support of current DMRC board and also about the specific role assigned to Sreedharan in the metro project. The letter generated controversyc after it was released to the public by Rajya Sabha MP P. Rajeev. Rajeev wanted to know how Jose, who was no longer involved in the metro project, could write an official letter to Sudhir Krishna.[29] Opposition parties pressed the government to seek an explanation from Jose. Opposition leader V.S. Achuthananadan alleged that Jose had sent the letter with the tacit support of the Congress leadership and the Chief Minister.[30] At a high-level meeting convened by Chief Minister Oommen Chandy on 15 October 2012, the State Government reiterated its decision to entrust the Kochi Metro project to the DMRC.[31] Some government ministers and IAS officials alleged thatCentral Vigilance Commission (CVC) norms do not allow awarding of contract to an agency which did the consultancy for a project.[32] However, DMRC principal adviser E. Sreedharan has stated that the CVC norms would not apply in this case, as the contract is between two government agencies. Another issue for the metro was that DMRC had to obtain permission of its director's board to undertake projects outside Delhi.[33] On 22 October 2012, the Chief Minister said that the Government had not authorized Jose to write the letter and would seek an explanation from Jose on the circumstances leading to his "unprovoked act". He dismissed accusations from opposition parties as "totally baseless".[34] The State Cabinet unilaterally condemned the act of writing the letter, observing that it was counter to the State Government’s known position on the matter. At a meeting, held on 22 October 2012, The Hindu reported that Transport Minister Aryadan Mohammed lambasted Jose for his "unprovoked action", which "amounted to gross indiscipline and grave contravention of the code of ethics on the part of the official who was well aware of Sreedharan’s role in the Kochi project". [35]
On 29 October 2012, Kerala Chief Minister Oommen Chandy met with Minister for Urban Development Kamal Nath and Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit in New Delhi to discuss DMRC taking up the Kochi Metro project. Kamal Nath informed Oommen Chandy that the DMRC had "limitations" in taking up the project.[36] However, the Delhi Chief Minister agreed to discuss whether the DMRC could take up the project without affecting the Phase I and III of the Delhi Metro.[37]

Support for DMRC

The Corporation of Cochin and Kochi Mayor Tony Chammany supported handing over work to DMRC. The Mayor launched a campaign promoting DMRC on his Facebook page. The Mayor also launched the website [www.supportkochimetro.in], on 24 October 2012. Chammany had stated that, "Government of Kerala and the Corporation of Cochin along with the people of Kerala unanimously want the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation to take up the work of Kochi metro which will be crucial to the growth and development of Cochin City."[38] The Kerala Merchants' Union issued a press release expressed doubts whether the "unholy nexus between officials and politicians" was behind the delay in the commissioning work on the project. The State executive committee of the NH:17-47 Joint Action Council alleged that a BOT-mafia, interested in getting commissions, was behind the move to keep Sreedharan out of the project. The Council also alleged that Tom Jose was behind imposing BOT-toll conditions on many stretches of national highways in Kerala.[39] The Ernakulam district collector and KMRL director board member P.I. Sheik Pareeth also supported DMRC's role saying that the agency can complete the project in a time bound manner. Pareeth stated, "If Delhi Metro Rail Corporation is executing the Kochi Metro project and E. Sreedharan is there to oversee the work, then we will be able to complete the metro project in 3 years. If not, I don't have an answer." Another supporter of the DMRC was president of Better Kochi Response Group, S. Gopakumar. He expressed his support saying, "DMRC, under the stewardship of E. Sreedharan, would be the right choice. While the agency is familiar with Indian circumstances, the Metro Man knows the city".[40]Opposition parties in the state, on several occasions, expressed support for the DMRC and alleged that corruption and delays would occur in the project if it was not handed to DMRC.
Public support was overwhelmingly in favour of DMRC and Sreedharan. On 27 October 2012, Kochiites formed a 25 km human chain from Aluva to Petta, demanding work be handed over to DMRC. The protest was organized by the City Development Committee.[41][42] Several organisations, including the Kerala Merchants’ Union, Vayapari Vyavasayi Samiti, Credai, Graduates Engineers’ Association, Ernakulam District Residents Associations’ Apex Council, Residents Apex Council, Hotel and Bar Association, Save Kerala Movement, International Media Centre, Fine Arts Society, Ernakulam Public Library, Maharaja’s Old Students Association, All India Lawyers’ Union, Angamali Merchants Association, AIBEA, BEFI, CITU and AITUC were represented.[43]

Support for Global Tender

N. Venugopal, chairman of Greater Cochin Development Authority (GCDA) was in favour of a global tender to ensure transparency. Centre for Public Policy Research MD, D. Dhanuraj also favoured a global tender plan as he felt it would "dissolve the controversies surrounding the project". He stated, "Various agencies will get an opportunity to analyse the detailed project report prepared by DMRC. There will be more transparency and clarity. If DMRC is the best metro agency, they can compete with others and take up the responsibility of executing the project. No project should be individual centric or organisation centric. DMRC is not the only agency in the world involved in execution of metro projects and E Sreedharan is not the only expert available. The state should go for a global tender and choose a competent agency." President of the Indian Chamber of Commerce and Industry Nishesh Shaw, supported a global tender, saying, "The state wanted DMRC to take up the project. They should have floated a global tender long ago. The government should not step back now and delay the works. Instead it should settle the differences between various agencies amicably. Stalling the event for a temporary period will not resolve the crisis."[40]

Construction

The Kochi Metro connecting Aluva-Petta will be completed in three stages and separate tenders will be awarded through bids. Each stage will be approximately 8 km. The advantage of this approach is that different contractors can take part in the work. KMRL decided to set up parking space at all metro stations based on the request from civil Society organisations.[44]
Prime Minister Manmohan Singh laid the foundation stone for the project on 13 September 2012.[45][46][47]

Preparatory work and supporting activities

Preparatory work is being carried out before the metro construction. The Ernakulam North overbridge is being pulled down and widened to 4-lane as part of five Metro Rail-associated projects.[48] Other projects include construction of a new rail overbridge connecting Mullassery Canal Road and Salim Rajan Road and the widening of the Town Hall-Madhava Pharmacy Junction stretch, MG Road and Jos Junction-South Railway Station road.[49] The DMRC will execute all these works. The State government had set apart INR158 crore for preliminary works. On 3 March 2012, KMRL handed over INR15 crore to DMRC for undertaking the preparatory works. The DMRC had been given INR23 crore earlier.[50][51][52][53]
For the purpose of traffic diversion, KMRL resurfaced 21 roads in and around the city. Kerala Construction Corporation did the work with five-year guarantee using BMBC specifications for a cost of INR16.31 crore (US$3.08 million). KMRL also recruited traffic wardens in different part of the city to help police to control traffic.[54]
Based on the guidelines of ministry of Urban Development to integrate various mode of transport, Kochi Metro Rail Limited decided to shift Vyttila station to Vyttila Mobility Hub. The long distance buses operates out of Vyttila hub and the hub authorities are planning to build a new boat jetty there as the part of theit second phase of development. Thus, the Kochi metro project became the first metro in the country which connects rail, road and water transportation facilities.[55]
A parking lot at Karakkamuri was provided to KSRTC, when KMRL took over the parking space to carry out preparatory works associated with Kochi metro project. In return to the land used for Salim Rajan RoB KMRL reconstructed the inspection ramp for KSRTC.[56] But, as rains started, the new parking lot became murky with slush and mud and it became difficult for drivers to drive out vehicles resulting in creation of traffic blocks in the city. Following KSRTC's complaint, KMRL handed over the task of relaying the ground to KSCC for a budget of INR55 lakh (US$104,000).[57]
Water logging is the biggest problem of Kochi and that is the main cause damaging the roads in the city. The uninterrupted flow of water through the canals is the best way to prevent the water logging in the city. To ensure the smooth traffic in the city, KMRL took the initiative to clean the major canal of Kochi, Thevara– Perandoor Canal. The cleaning work was given to Kerala Shipping and Inland Navigation Corporation (KSINC) for an amount of INR2.62 crore (US$495,180).[58]

Land Acquisition

The total amount of land required for the project is yet to be determined. The original plan was to acquire about 31.92 hectares of land in Ernakulam, Elamkulam, Poonithura, Thrikkakara North, Edappally South and Aluva West. Out of this approximately, 17 hectares is for the Muttom coach maintenance depot. The remaining land is required for the construction of metro stations. Approximately, 15 hectares out of the required 31.92 is government land. However, the land required for parking at stations, road widening and straightening curves along the alignment have yet to be assessed.[59]
The district-level purchase committee fixed the maximum compensation for land acquisition at INR52 lakh per cent for the land to be acquired for preparatory works. The district administration can take ownership of land only after paying at least 80% of the price. Land acquisition for a foot overbridge near the KSRTC main depot will cost INR28 lakh per cent and land for the approach road of the Ponnurunni railway overbridge will be acquired at INR18.50 lakh per cent. The prices have been approved by the State Empowered Committee.[60][61]

Cost

The total cost of the Kochi Metro project is INR5,181.79 crore (US$979.36 million).[62] As per the sanction of the Public Investment Board (PIB), the Central Government will make a contribution of INR1,002.23 crore (US$189.42 million), the Kerala Government a contribution of INR1,772.23 crore (US$334.95 million) and INR2,170 crore (US$410.13 million) will be raised as loan from Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA). Taxes on the project will come to about INR237.33 crore (US$44.86 million) which will be borne by the Kerala Government along with any escalations.[63] [64]
An amount of INR25 crore (US$4.73 million) had been allocated by Sr KM Mani, finance minister of Kerala, in his 2011 budget for the development works of Kochi metro[65] The 2012 Union Budget allocated INR30 crore (US$5.67 million) for the Kochi Metro project. It was for the first time the Centre made a major budget allocation for the project. In the 2012 State Budget, finance minister K. M. Mani, allotted INR119 crore (US$22.49 million) for the Kochi Metro project.[66]

Network

Main article: List of Kochi Metro stations

Phase I

[hide]Kochi Metro
Urban head station

Aluva
Urban station on track

Pulinchodu
Urban station on track

Companypady
Urban station on track

Ambattkavu
Urban station on track

Muttom
Urban station on track

Kalamassery
Urban station on track

CUSAT
Urban station on track

Pathadippalam
Urban station on track

Edappally Junction
Urban station on track

Changampuzha Park
Urban station on track

Palarivattom
Urban station on track

Nehru Stadium
Urban station on track

Kaloor
Urban station on track National railway

Town Hall
Urban station on track

Madhava Pharmacy
Urban station on track

Maharajas College
Urban station on track National railway

Ernakulam Junction
Urban station on track

GCDA, Kadavanthra
Urban station on track

Elamkulam
Urban station on track Bus station

Vyttila Mobility Hub
Urban station on track

Thaikoodam
Urban end station

Pettah
The Kochi Metro Rail Corporation has proposed an elevated[67] route spanning 25.253 km from Aluva to Petta.[68] There will be 22 stations:

Phase II

On 11 September 2012, KMRL gave its in-principle nod for the second phase of the proposed Kochi Metro project, which will have to be ratified by the state government. The board has also asked the state government to revisit the total area that the project will cover, so that the project can be extended to the fast developing suburbs of Kochi. There are also plans for a line from Palarivattom to Infopark.[70]
The current plan for Phase II is to extend the metro:
  1. Extension from Aluva to Angamaly via the Cochin International Airport at Nedumbassery
  2. Extension from Petta to Tripunithura
  3. Branch line from Palarivattom to InfoPark, Kochi via Kakkanad
The KMRL board will decide in October 2012 whether to add an extension to Fort Kochi in Phase II.[71]

Future Expansion

Many possible extensions of the metro to Menaka, Kakkanad, and West Kochi have been proposed.
However, former KMRL MD, Tom Jose had said that any extensions would be taken up only in Phase II after the construction of the Aluva - Pettah route.[72]

Infrastructure

Rolling stock

It was initially proposed to use maglev trains from South Korea for Kochi Metro.[73] The coaches would not have wheels and would float over the magnetic rails. Their movement would also be smoother and would make lesser noise than the coaches with wheels.
It was later decide that Kochi Metro will run on standard gauge, with 3 coaches initially in each train, which can be extended to six coaches in future. The width of coaches was initially proposed to be 2.80m wide, unlike coaches that are up to 3.20m wide in most other cities. Each coach has a capacity of 200 passenger, giving each train a total capacity of 600 passengers.[74] Later it was decided to use coaches with the same width and length as that of Delhi Metro.[75] Indian Institute of Architects, Kochi Chapter approached KMRL to give them an opportunity to design the stations. Mr. Tom Jose has agreed to take this proposal furtherso that the stations get a local flavor.[76]

Power

KMRL will acquire 20MW of electricity annually, to operate the metro. The electricity will by supplied from the Kaloor substation of the Kerala State Electricity Board (KSEB).[77]

Parking

KMRL assigned Cochin University of Science and Technology (CUSAT) to conduct a feasibility study on incorporating parking spaces on the metro rail corridor. The study was focused in understanding the ridership of all 22 stations including two terminal stations and assessing the possible number of two and four wheelers, which would require parking in the Aluva- Pettah Metro Rail corridor. As part of the study SMS also prepared the lay out for parking with traffic circulation plan for each station. The School of Management Studies (SMS) has submitted the report on August 10th.[78] preliminary report was submitted in June 2012. CUSAT was given the task, as the report submitted by DMRC did not have specifications regarding the parking facilities.[79]
The detailed study was submitted on 10 August 2012. The study proposes multi-level parking. In some stations, parking facilities will be located away from the station due to lack of available land. In such cases, exclusive pedestrian-friendly walkways linking parking areas with stations will be built.[80] KMRL will consider introducing shuttle services between parking lots and stations if the distance is long. SMS will work out the requirement of land that has to be acquired for this. KMRL says parking facilties will prevent traffic congestion and integrate personal transport system with mass rapid transit systems.[81]

Handicapped Facilities

All stations will have elevators and each will be disabled friendly. Tactile tiles will be provided at all stations to enable the visually impaired to travel from the entrance to the platform without assistance.[82]

Operations

Fare

Tickets are expected to be priced between INR12 and INR30.[83]

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