IRCTC NEWS I INDIAN RAILWAY NEWS: kochi metro

Showing posts with label kochi metro. Show all posts

Showing posts with label kochi metro. Show all posts

Wednesday, 19 December 2018

kochi metro 06:35

Kochi Metro Rail to Start water ride Service Soon

Kochi Metro Rail to Start water ride Service Soon

Kochi, Metro Rail News: You will be able to ride the water metro soon in the Kochi. This service may start in December 2019. Kochi Metro Rail Limited had earlier planned to run it in April but then it was extended for October. This project will be ready with the help of German. “will give Metro tender till January” said KMRL director of APM Mohammed Hanish said

KMRCL is launching an Integrated Water Transporter project, which costs 819 crores. Germany’s company is investing Rs 582 crore in KfW. Hansih said that Germany’s Ambassador is very happy with the progress of the project. “the land acquisition work has started soon” He said.

Highlights

Kochi Metro Rail Limited had earlier planned to run it in April but it was extended for October
Metro Agency is launching an Integrated Water Transporter project, which will cost 819 million
About 100,000 people living on the islands from the water metro will benefit
According to the plan, there will be two types of boat in this project. They will be made from fiber-rainforest plastic.

Download Original Document

Wednesday, 5 July 2017

The Chennai Metro Rail Limited (CMRL) 08:18

Chennai Metro:Bicycle Club

Chennai Metro:Bicycle Club

Inspired by Kochi Metro Rail, 10 cycles will be available in 7 stations

Drawing inspiration from Kochi Metro Rail, Chennai Metro Rail too plans to give commuters biycles free of cost to ride from next month.

According to officials of Chennai Metro Rail Limited (CMRL), they have tied-up with the Kochi-based Athi’s Bicycle Club that has put up cycles in Kochi Metro Rail. There will be 10 cycles in each of the following stations: CMBT, Vadapalani, Ashok Nagar, Ekkatuthangal, St. Thomas Mount, Shenoy Nagar and Nehru Park. “We will expand this further to other stations too as the demand improves. We want to encourage commuters to take to cycling and hence, this initiative,” an official said.

M.S. Athirup, a 27-year-old engineer and founder Athi’s Bicycle Club, started cycling as a hobby and eventually made it his profession. He has indulged in 14,000 hours of cycling across the country.

“Commuters just have to send a message to a number with their details to register, then, they have to send another message to another number to take the cycle. This message will give them a number to unlock the cycle. The stands in the stations will not be manned and commuters can take it whenever they want,” he added. Commuters need not leave the cycle in the same station where they took it from; it may be left in any of the above six stations.

Cannot be stolen

“The cycles cannot be stolen because, during registration process, the identification proof is given and contact numbers are verified. We can track anyone if a cycle goes missing,” he said adding that no cycle has gone missing yet. The club has provided cycles to Technopark in Thiruvananthapuram, Kochi’s Infopark and Kochi Metro Rail.

Source:The Hindu

Saturday, 17 June 2017

transgenders in trains 22:01

List of Kochi Metro stations and parking facilities

List of Kochi Metro stations and parking facilities

Are you looking for the list of Kochi Metro stations with parking facilities? Below is the latest list of stations. Metro stations with parking facilities are mentioned accordingly.

List of Kochi Metro stations

Below is the complete list of metro stations in Kochi. Please note that only the stations between Aluva and Palarivattom are ready for service. Rest of the stretch is still under construction and may take a few more months to become fully operational.

List of Kochi metro stations that are operational in first stage:

1. Aluva (starting point) (parking lots)

2. Pulinchodu

3. Companypadi

4. Ambattukavu

5. Muttam (parking lots)

6. Kalamassery

7. Cochin University

8. Pathadippalam

9. Edappally

10. Changampuzha Park

11. Palarivattom

Kochi Metro Stations which are not ready yet:

The following metro stations are expected to be completed and ready for operation before Dec 2017:

1. Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium

2. Kaloor

3. Lissie

4. MG Road

5. Maharaja's College

6. Ernakulam South

7. Kadavanthra

8. Elamkulam

9. Vyttila

10. Thaikoodam

11. Petta

Source:IndiaTravelblog

Hindustan Times

Speech By PM Narendra Modi at Kochi Metro

Thursday, 11 May 2017

Narendra Modi 08:47

Kochi Metro:Trial Run begins from Aluva to palarivattom

Kochi Metro:Trial Run begins from Aluva to palarivattom

Kochi Metro begins service trial today, PM Modi’s dates being worked out for inauguration

The metro train project in Kochi is the first in Kerala and will span 13 kilometres in the first phase from Aluva to Palarivattom.

The final service trial run of the Kochi Metro began earlier Wednesday paving way for commercial operations to begin soon. The trials have begun after the Commissioner for Metro Rail Safety gave clearance certificate to Kochi Metro Rail Limited (KMRL), that helms the project, and considered to be the fastest to get safety clearance compared to other metro projects in the country. The metro’s inauguration has not been announced keeping in mind prime minister Narendra Modi’s dates, said a KMRL official.

The metro train project in Kochi is the first in Kerala and will span 13 kilometres in the first phase from Aluva to Palarivattom. Fourteen more stations will come up in the second phase in which the train will further travel to Thripunithura coursing through some of the busiest intersections in the city. Extensions to the international airport in Nedumbassery, that falls outside city limits, and to Kakkanad, home to several IT firms, are also planned in subsequent phases. The project, which has seen five years to see the light of day, will significantly cut travel time for a commuter within the city and will solve larger traffic and pollution problems in Kochi. The metro will also be an integration platform with the ferry and bus systems to provide seamless travel options for residents.

The metro trial run began at 6 am from Aluva and will conclude at 9:30 pm today. Four rakes of trains will make a total of 142 trips through the day and will stop at every station to test signal and safety limits.

The metro project was expected to be thrown open to the public on November 1 last year, the day of formation of Kerala. But the deadline could not be met. The project, built on a PPP model between the state and the Centre, had DMRC as the implementation agency and E Sreedharan as the principal advisor to the DMRC. The coaches for the train were ‘made in India’ by Alstom, a French company at the Sri City facility in Andhra Pradesh.

Source:Indian Express

Saturday, 6 May 2017

Metro news 21:59

Kochi Metro to get safety certificate on Monday

Kochi Metro to get safety certificate on Monday

Prime Minister’s date awaited for commissioning transport system

The apparent quality of work on Kochi Metro stations is better than that of Bengaluru and Chennai metros and the safety certificate to commence commercial operations on its 13.20-km-long Aluva-Palarivattom corridor will be submitted to Kochi Metro Rail Limited (KMRL) on Monday, Commissioner for Metro Rail Safety (CMRS) K.A. Manoharan has said.

He was addressing reporters here on Friday evening after a five-member team led by him concluded inspection of the elevated rail corridor, 11 stations on the route and the metro’s depot in Muttom.

“Appreciable work has been done on theme-based stations. My team is satisfied with the safety measures and they will be analysed further while submitting the report,” Mr. Manoharan said.

He added that some more CCTV cameras and information boards had to be installed in stations. The KMRL had assured that this would be done in a week. Some improvements were also required in signalling and telecom systems.

“We inspected tracks, interface between signalling and telecommunication systems and trains, stations, fire alarms, CCTV systems and the information/public address system,” he said. Speaking to The Hindu, an elated Managing Director of KMRL Elias George said he was delighted to hear the CMRS appreciating theme-based stations.

“Soon after receiving the safety certificate and inspection report on Monday, we will carry out service trials using ‘dummy’ passengers, while Kudumbasree workers and securitymen will be exposed to managing the crowd that is expected to pour in once the project is commissioned. The date will be decided based on the Prime Minister’s convenience.

He added that uplifting literary quotes from Malayalam, Indian and world literature will be displayed in stations and trains. “We took a cue from the London Tube where poetry verses are displayed in trains,” he said.

Metro sources said the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation would have to carry out suggestions made by the CMRS, following which KMRL would have to give compliance report to the CMRS. The CMRS also verified competency of metro personnel and his recommendations are expected to figure in Monday’s inspection report.

Others who were present included the Deputy Commissioners of Railway Safety, G.P. Garg and E. Srinivas, and KMRL directors .

Source:The Hindu

Wednesday, 11 January 2017

speed trials 08:23

Integrated Trial Run OF Metro Train -Kochi Metro

Integrated Trial Run OF Metro Train -Kochi Metro

Kochi: The all important integrated trials of Kochi Metro Rail under the supervision of the officials of the Research Design and Standards Organisation (RDSO) will begin on January 9.

The Commissioner for Railway Safety will inspect the rolling stock, Operation Control Centre at Muttom and other infrastructure facilities on January 9, 10 and 11.

This will be followed by extensive integrated trial runs from mid-January. The synergised operation of trains in sync with signals, telecommunication and power will be tested and fine-tuned, if found necessary. The trial will be held along the Aluva-Palarivattom stretch.

Alstom has handed over three set of rakes while another is expected at the Muttom yard next week. All four sets of trains will be deployed for the integrated trials.

The trial run is considered critical, considering that Kochi Metro Rail will be the first in the country to conduct commercial train operations using the communications-based train control system (CBTC) for which a special software has been developed.

The trails will be controlled and monitored from the state-of the-art Operation Control Centre at Muttom. The trials will be followed by an inspection by the Commissioner of Railway Safety (CRS) for desired safety standards. Only after the CRS issues the safety certificate can Kochi Metro start its operations.

Source:Kochi Metro

Sunday, 28 February 2016

Metro news 06:22

Kochi Metro Rail Ltd. is inviting application from the eligible candidates for the following posts-

Kochi Metro Rail Ltd. is inviting application from the eligible candidates for the following posts-

Addl. General Manager (Civil) – 02 posts (Pay Scale-Rs.43200 – 66000-E7)
Addl. General Manager (Depot) – 01 post (Pay Scale-Rs.43200 – 66000-E7)
Sr. Dy. General Manager (Civil) – 02 posts (Pay Scale-Rs.32900 – 58000-E5)
Dy. General Manager (Civil) – 01 post (Pay Scale-Rs.29100 – 54500-E4)
Dy. General Manager (Environment) – 01 post (Pay Scale-Rs.29100 – 54500-E4)
Assistant Manager (Civil) – 02 posts (Pay Scale-Rs.20600 – 46500-E2)
Chief Controller – 01 post (Pay Scale-Rs.16400 – 40500-E1)
Depot Controller – 01 posts (Pay Scale-Rs.14000– 26950-S2)
Power Controller – 02 posts (Pay Scale-Rs.14000– 26950-S2)
Station Controller/Train Operator – 06 posts (Pay Scale-Rs.13500– 25520-S1)

Application Fee – Rs.500/-

Last date to apply: 10.03.2016

Click here to know more.

Thursday, 5 November 2015

transport Link 07:54

Alstom to fully focus on Transport Business post its Energy Biz buyout by GE

Alstom to fully focus on Transport Business post its Energy Biz buyout by GE

Alstom closes the sale of its Energy activities (Power generation and Grid) to General Electric for an amount of approximately €12.4 billion (Including €1.9 billion of cash in the Energy businesses transferred to GE, and after €O.4 billion of commercial agreement settled in December 2014 and €0.3 billion of negative price adjustment announced in July 2015). Consequently the Group is today entirely refocused on Rail transportation business.

Proceeds of the transaction are used to acquire GE signalling activities for an amount of approximately €700 million and to reinvest in 3 Joint Ventures with General Electric (in the fields of grid, renewable and French steam & nuclear) for an amount of around €2.4 billion. As previously announced, part of the cash – in the range of €3.2 to €3.7 billion – should return to shareholders. The Board of Directors, meeting on 4 November 2015, will propose the launch of a public share buy-back offer (OPRA) followed by a capital reduction through cancellation of shares. This operation will be subject to shareholders’ approval at a General Meeting which will be convened before year-end. After the full completion of the transaction, Alstom will be deleveraged and rely on a strong balance sheet.

Alstom benefits from a sound market with solid growing factors. Thanks to its presence on all continents, its complete range of solutions and constant innovation, it holds leadership positions in trains, services, systems and signalling, reinforced today by the acquisition of GE Signalling. This activity, representing 1,200 employees, opens the signalling freight market to Alstom, while strengthening its presence in North America.

Alstom has a record order book providing long term visibility. It includes recent significant awards such as the metros for Sydney, Kochi, Riyadh, Paris; signalling solutions for Toronto greater area and Denmark; tram systems for Rio de Janeiro, Lusail and Sydney as well as suburban trains for South Africa, most of these projects being associated with long term maintenance contracts.

“Today represents a major milestone in Alstom’s history. We managed to secure a win-win deal with General Electric, which protects the interests of employees and customers in the Energy businesses, while reinforcing Alstom’s positioning in the transport industry. Alstom today holds leadership positions on a globally growing rail market and will rely on a solid financial base to support its growth strategy. This company, entirely refocused on transport, also benefits from a skilled management team led by Henri Poupart-Lafarge and I am confident in its ability to drive the Group towards future successes” declared Patrick Kron, Chairman and CEO of Alstom.

As a promoter of sustainable mobility, Alstom develops and markets systems, equipment and services for the railway sector. Alstom manages the widest range of solutions in the market – from high-speed trains to metros and tramways – and associated maintenance, modernisation, infrastructure and signalling solutions. Alstom is a world leader in integrated railway systems. It recorded sales of €6.2 billion and booked €10 billion of orders in the 2014/15 fiscal year. Headquartered in France, Alstom is present in over 60 countries and employs 32,000 people today.

Monday, 19 October 2015

kochi metro 10:47

Alstom offers Driverless Trains to Kochi Metro

Alstom offers Driverless Trains to Kochi Metro

Kochi: With the first lot of Kochi Metro coaches expected to arrive by mid-December, Alstom has offered two crucial value additions that together cost Rs.55 crore.

A pioneering initiative to regenerate 99 per cent of braking energy of each train would increase the project cost by Rs.15 crore, from Rs.633 crore to Rs.648 crore. The proposal has been submitted to the Kochi Metro Rail Limited (KMRL).

Another first

Another first-time-in-India initiative is Unmanned Train Operation (UTO) that could escalate procurement cost of 75 coaches by another Rs.40 crore to Rs.688 crore. A proposal on this is expected to be submitted to the KMRL shortly.

“The total increase of Rs.55 crore is marginal since its pay-back (break even) period will be less than four years. We are awaiting response from the KMRL since the first few coaches must be delivered in two months,” said Bharat Salhotra, MD (Transport – India and South Asia) of Alstom. The firm is trying to hard-sell its regenerative braking technology branded Hesop to the KMRL.

“Using this, 99 per cent of braking energy of each train can be fed back into grid or can be used by the train that follows. This will result in phenomenal savings to the KMRL, while ushering in a revolutionary green technology in Kerala,” said Mr. Salhotra.

Safer journey ensured

The manned trains can be transformed into unmanned ones by making slight structural and engineering alterations. This will ensure safer journey since the remote probability of human error can be ruled out.

The UTO technology will also ensure more comfortable journey since trains will operate as per standardised norms – no sudden acceleration and braking by unskilled drivers, while enabling structured time gap between trains. All these contribute to lessening wear and tear of trains, thus lessening life-cycle cost, sources associated with the metro coaches said.

Tuesday, 8 September 2015

kochi metro 09:51

Kochi Metro directors to visit Alstom’s Valenciennes Rolling Stock Factory in Paris

Kochi Metro directors to visit Alstom’s Valenciennes Rolling Stock Factory in Paris

Kochi: Chief Secretary Jiji Thomson is to lead a two-member delegation later this month to France to visit Alstom Transport’s Valenciennes Rolling Stock Factory in Paris and to meet the top management on the rolling stock for Kochi Metro.

Mr. Thomson, is to be accompanied by the Additional Chief Secretary and Managing Director of Kochi Metro Rail Ltd, Elias George in the two-day visit to Valenciennes, a town next to the Belgian border.

The visit follows the invitation extended by Alstom Transport, the manufacturers of rolling stock for Kochi Metro, to the two top IAS officials who are also board members of Kochi Metro Rail Ltd.

In a request to the government in August, Mr. George has pointed out that 3D animation of the Metro train has been completed by the rolling stock manufacturer who bagged the bid floated and it was the last chance for viewing it.

Friday, 4 September 2015

Thiruvananthapuram 10:11

Kerala chooses Kochi Metro model for Thiruvananthapuram Light Metro

Kerala chooses Kochi Metro model for Thiruvananthapuram Light Metro

Sreedharan’s concern over ambiguity in communications

Thiruvananthapuram: Reiterating yet again that the Rs.6,728-crore Thiruvananthapuram and Kozhikode Light Metro rail projects will be executed (by the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation) on the lines of the Kochi metro rail project, Chief Minister Oommen Chandy said here on Thursday that specifics of the twin projects would be added in the letter sent to the Centre.

He was speaking at the Cochin International Airport here after a meeting to review the Kochi metro project and the way ahead for the Light Metro in the other two cities. Against the backdrop of allegations that key officials and decision-makers in the State were trying to keep the DMRC away from the Light Metro project, Principal Adviser of the agency E.Sreedharan had expressed concern over the ambiguity in communications sent by the State government to the Centre seeking sanction and funds.

Referring to Thursday’s discussions with Mr. Sreedharan, Mr. Chandy said, “We assured him that obstacles in implementing the Light Metro will be removed so that the projects can be completed in a time-bound manner. Mr. Sreedharan sought inclusion of a few specific details (such as the executing agency) in the letter sent to the Centre.

The forthcoming Cabinet will decide on this.” “The outcome of Thursday’s meeting is that the Light Metro will be implemented by the DMRC on a turnkey basis as is being done for the Kochi metro,” sources in the agency said.

Thursday’s developments are critical since there were reports of key officials and people’s representatives in Kerala trying to rope in private players for implementing the Light Metro.

Thursday, 3 September 2015

kochi metro 23:32

Kochi Metro to have Futuristic, Cost-effective Coaches

Kochi Metro to have Futuristic, Cost-effective Coaches

Also, a High-level meet to put Kochi metro on fast track

Kochi: Coaches of the Kochi Metro Rail, the design for which will be unveiled by the Chief Minister here on Thursday, will be the most modern in the country, with the capability to be converted into driverless coaches in future. According to the Kochi Metro Rail Limited (KMRL) authorities, they will also be the most cost-efficient coaches procured for any metro system in India.

The Kochi Metro trains will consume less energy when they accelerate and provide high regeneration during braking. In addition, the communication-based train control system will drive the train at optimum energy-saving speed. It also has the key features needed to upgrade to the driver less mode in future. The stainless steel car body facilitates easy maintenance, durability and robustness, with a low noise-level. The trains are designed for a minimum of 35 years of service life.

The KMRL has appointed Tata Elxsi as the design consultant for enhancing customer experience in the metro system. The contract to build and supply 25 state-of-the-art trains for the KMRL was awarded to Alstom in October 2014.

Alstom is in charge of the design, manufacturing, supply, installation, testing and commissioning of the standard-track-gauge trains, with an option to supply 25 additional metro sets.

Each train will be composed of three cars of about 65 metre length, with capacity to carry up to 975 passengers.

The Metro cars will be manufactured at Alstom’s facility at Sri City in Andhra Pradesh. Delivery of the cars for the Kochi Metro Rail will be one of the fastest in the world, with an initial delivery period of only eight months.

A high-level meet to be chaired by Chief Minister Oommen Chandy here on Thursday will try to resolve the latest bottlenecks in the implementation of the Kochi Metro Rail project, including the dispute between the Greater Cochin Development Authority (GCDA) and St. Albert’s College over land usage and the remaining land acquisition hurdles before the State’s ambitious venture.

The work on Kochi Metro’s International Stadium station and adjacent pillars had been affected after the GCDA insisted on the State government handing over land near the first Goshree bridge to compensate for the 65 cents it had to give to St. Albert’s College in the stadium.

N. Venugopal, Chairman of the GCDA, said on Wednesday that the authority was ready to hand over the land to St. Albert’s but on a condition that the government should give GCDA 72 cents near CMFRI located next to the first Goshree bridge.

“We will also bring the unilateral stance adopted by the college authorities in this issue before the Chief Minister at the meeting,” he said. KMRL sources said other issues to be discussed at the meeting included the deadlock over the transfer of 17.31 acres owned by the Public Works Department at Kakkanad; approval for the water transport project for funding from KfW, the German funding agency; and approval of the Unified Metropolitan Transport Authority (UMTA) Act.

Mr. Chandy will also unveil the interior and exterior designs of Kochi Metro coaches along with the new brand identity of KMRL at CIAL on Thursday.

Metro chief visits Champakkara market

Providing a glimmer of hope to fish merchants based at Champakkara Market, the MD of Kochi Metro Rail Limited (KMRL) Elias George and District Secretary of CPI(M) P. Rajeev, MP conducted a joint visit of the premises on Tuesday.

The merchants and vendors had aired their concern at the market space dwindling considerably when Kochi Metro’s piling works commence in the premises and the area is barricaded. Mr Rajeev said that they also want proper access for lorries carrying fish to reach the market located in Vyttila-Pettah Road.

Lorries carrying fish from different harbours, including from other States arrive here daily and the business volume is in the range of Rs 40 to Rs 50 lakh per day. A good share of the market can be relocated if two more plots are acquired and vendors relocated there, he said.

The metro agency has assured that the proposal will be taken up with State government. On rebuilding Champakkara Bridge as a four-lane one, he said that this can be done on the lines of North overbridge that was rebuilt about two years ago.

KMRL officials said that a meeting will be held involving Kochi Corporation, Revenue Department, people’s representatives and fish merchants in a week, prior to finalising plans.

“As for the bridge, we have asked DMRC to prepare a plan to widen it into four lane, for which funds worth approximately Rs 30 crore have to be earmarked under metro’s preparatory works.”

Tuesday, 21 July 2015

kochi metro 16:16

Kochi Metro to become Symbol of Modern Kochi

Kochi Metro to become Symbol of Modern Kochi

Kochi: Welcome to Kochi Metro that is changing the landscape of the city beyond recognition led by ‘Metro Superman’ E Sreedharan, 83, Delhi Metro Rail Corporation, Kochi Metro Rail Limited and the Kerala government. Till three years ago, Kochi was identified with Chinese nets and placid backwaters, but now it has a new icon: the Metro corridor running high above the citizens’ heads along the 18-km first reach from Aluva to Maharaja’s college ground through which trains are scheduled to roll along from June 2016. When the French-built gleaming coaches make their appearance finally, they are guaranteed to provide a world-class travelling experience for Kochiites, nay the entire Keralites in fact.

This will be in contrast to their experiences so far, which have been very local and almost brutal: the red killer buses driven by the most undisciplined drivers in the world through potholed roads and causing a high number of accidents; unwary passengers being robbed of their valuables by pickpockets in the huge rush; women subjected to harassment; bikes and cars going on the rampage through congested roads; pedestrians getting knocked down and autorickshaws running without meters and overcharging. All these would hopefully be a thing of the past by June next year when, as promised by Sreedharan, Kochi Metro trains will run, bringing in comfort, convenience and reliability. When the rigs started digging deep into the Kochi soil for pile foundations in June 2013, Kochiites couldn’t have imagined such dramatic changes so rapidly in their surroundings. Sreedharan and Kochi Metro are set to rewrite the national record by finishing the work within three years after its launch, the fastest for any metro. The Chennai Metro took six years to complete the 10-km stretch, Delhi Metro four years for the 8.5-km stretch and Bangalore six years for the first six-km route.

Chief Minister Oommen Chandy had entrusted the work with Sreedharan and the DMRC against all opposition, just like he has done in the case of Vizhinjam port project now, which will be executed by Modi-friend Adani.

Neither hartals and rains nor other umpteen hurdles, including land acquisition issues, prevented the Metro from racing ahead. The old landmarks have given way to new ones, roads have been widened, new bridges built and obstructing buildings pulled down to pave way for the metro corridor. The Metro has actually become a people’s movement and the citizens have put up with all the inconveniences of rebuilding and reconstruction, traffic jams and diversions in the wake of the 25-km, Rs 5,200-crore mega project going full steam. Also, even the militant local labour have abandoned their negative attitude, though there are scarcely any Malayali workers carrying out the work. They gaze at the tall and mighty pillars coming up fast and the huge piers and girders being mounted overnight with effortless ease by contract companies’ men who go about their work with military precision and discipline alien to the Malayali work culture.

Those who have travelled in metros in major cities like Dubai, London or Delhi know what make them world-class. The spotlessly clean and air-conditioned coaches are inviting and there is no feeling of rush or exhaustion. Most city dwellers prefer the metro, which in Dubai presents a colourful microcosm of the world with different nationalities rubbing shoulders with each other. There are no hassles involved in buying tickets, boarding or alighting, and checking is automated at the entry itself with no conductors and cleaners breathing down your neck, like in Kochi buses.

That Kochiites have already imbibed the Metro spirit is quite evident from a poster that appeared on the sidewall of the north overbridge built

Tuesday, 16 June 2015

kochi metro 20:53

Structures near ready, Kochi Metro stations on track

Structures near ready, Kochi Metro stations on track

Big parking lots will be confined to major stations, while the rest will mainly have space for two-wheeler parking

Kochi: With structures of Kochi Metro stations fast nearing completion, the Urban Mass Transit Company Limited (UMTC) is probing means to ensure the best use of parking space at stations.

Big parking lots will be confined to major stations such as Aluva, Kalamassery, Cusat and Edappally, while the rest will mainly have space for two-wheeler parking.

“The feasibility of having multi-tier parking is also being probed,” metro sources said.

The metro’s parking policy will be announced in another three to four months, wherein parking on station premises will find detailed mention.

Track-level works are going on at half a dozen cantilevered station structures of the total 16 stations in the metro’s Aluva-Maharaja’s College corridor. The two-metre-wide square pillars will support the 21-metre-wide cantilever stations.

“Fire-retardant materials will be used in station construction to ensure passenger safety for up to two hours in case of a fire breakout. The interior will have a standardised design with some element of a location-specific theme, while the Indian Institute of Architects (IIA) is working on a dominant regional theme that will be adopted for station exteriors.”

Each station will have two tracks, in continuance of the metro viaduct. The Muttom station will have three tracks, the third meant for trains being taken to the adjacent coach-maintenance depot. Land for all the stations has been acquired, while it is pending at a few places in the Maharaja’s Ground-Pettah corridor.

Saturday, 13 June 2015

Smart Card 07:05

Kochi Metro, Axis Bank ink pact for fare collection

Kochi Metro, Axis Bank ink pact for fare collection

Kochi: Kochi Metro Rail Limited (KMRL) has signed a public-private partnership (PPP) pact with Axis Bank for the automated fare collection (AFC) system. The agreement was signed between KMRL managing director, Elias George, and Axis Bank managing director and CEO, Shikha Sharma, in the presence of urban development minister, Venkaiah Naidu, in Delhi.

Under the agreement, investment for the entire funding required for the AFC system will be undertaken by Axis Bank, which will also maintain it for 10 years.

The the bank will pay a royalty of Rs 209 crore over the next 10 years for the right to be KMRL’s partner in this endeavour. In return, Axis Bank will get the right to issue co-branded cards, which will function as a smart card as well as a ticket, to the users of the metro.

In addition to this, 0.2 per cent of Axis Bank’s gross revenue, from the utilisation of this card outside KMRL’s ecosystem in various mercantile outlets and internet transactions, will also accrue to KMRL over the next 10 years, a press statement said.

Axis Bank is partnering with Asis electronik Ve Bilisim Sistemleri, AS, a Turkish company, for the infrastructure and AGS Transact Technologies Limited for the integration and maintenance in the system.

The AFC system is a critical core component of any metro system. It includes complex hardware and software installed at entry points of metro stations as well as buses and boats. It uses radio frequency identification devices (RFID) to collect fares from the users. In such a system, the metro ticket can be in the form of a co-branded card or an NFC-enabled smart phone or a ‘patch’ on a mobile device or any other surface with NFC stickers or QR code, or even as a paper-coupon.

The smart card can be linked with any bank account of the user, in any bank, including Jan-Dhan Yojana, said, George.

Shikha Sharma said creating a payment infrastructure that supports cashless payments is an integral part of growth of smart cities in the country.

KMRL is planning a ‘click and collect’ system whereby the commuter will be able to order goods and services using this card, which can be delivered at all metro stations. It is also planning to start a drive for including a variety of local and national goods and services that can be accessed using the KMRL-Axis Bank co-branded card.

This is also for the first time that the AFC solution has been enabled on the Cloud-based hardware in line with KMRL’s IT philosophy of ‘open standards on the Cloud’. In addition to the co-branded card, the bank will also develop a mobile app, which can be used for ticketing as well as e-commerce.

This initiative is unique in that it is for the first time that ‘open-loop’ smart cards are being introduced in the metro system. The urban development ministry has mandated all metros to have an integrated smart card system, which can be used in all transit. KMRL had appointed Ernst & Young as consultants for drawing the specification of the smart card system.

Thursday, 28 May 2015

MOU 20:48

France to fund Bangalore, Kochi Metro rail projects

France to fund Bangalore, Kochi Metro rail projects

Bangalore (SBC): Metro projects of Bangalore, Kochi and Nagpur are likely to receive funding from France, which has decided to increase the credit line to 2 billion euros following Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit last month.

A delegation of Agence Francaise de Developpment (AFD), the country’s bilateral financial institution, is here on a two-day visit to discuss about projects that could be funded, especially in the areas of sustainable urban development and smart cities.

“The phase 2 of Kochi and Bangalore Metros and phase 1 of Nagpur Metro are in the pipeline and there is a possibility that these projects could be funded by the AFD.

However, this is only a part of the total funding required for these projects,” said S Selvakumar, Joint Secretary, Department of Economic Affairs.

He was speaking on the sidelines of a function organised at the French embassy here. Selvakumar said the French have also shown interest in other projects which are related to Swachch Bharat Abhiyaan. This includes a solid waste management plant for Puducherry.

“There are several other projects like sewerage plant for Chennai, but all this depends on the readiness of the project,” he added.

Pascal Pacaut, Director for the Asia department of the AFD, said the cooperation between AFD and India started in 2008 starting with 1 billion euros. However, after Modi’s visit to France, the credit line has been increased to 2 billion euros.

“The level of commitment is more and it is very encouraging for us. The level of commitment concerns several sectors like the biodiversity sector, energy, water sanitation.

“We are considering several projects one of it is in Pondicherry. This is for the historical reasons,” Pacaut said. Francois Richer, French ambassador to India, said cooperation between the two countries in field of smart cities and sustainable urban development is a very “important endeavour”.

“Another area of cooperation is Prime Minister Modi has launched a very ambitious (Make in India) programme and French companies are looking at 10 per cent growth in their investments,” he said.

Referring to the pre-engineering agreement and an MoU between Areva and Larsen and Tourbo in the field of nuclear energy and in the field of railways, Richer said it is critical to both the countries.

“The 2 billion euros credit line to address sustainable urban development and smart city project can be fulfilled in a practical way,” he added.

Monday, 18 May 2015

sreedharan 11:04

Kochi Metro work fastest in country: DMRC

Kochi Metro work fastest in country: DMRC

Kochi: Denying criticism the construction of Kochi Metro was progressing behind the schedule, its implementing agency Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) on Saturday said it was the fastest in the country.

“Though we are facing land acquisition hurdles, we’re confident of operating trains on the 18-km stretch from Aluva to Maharajas by June 2016. No other metro project in the country was opened for a distance of 18 kms at a stretch. Kochi Metro will be the fastest one upon commissioning,” a senior official said.

The initial section opened for metro train operations in the Delhi metro project was just 8.5 kms (Shahdara to Tis Hazari) and it took four years to complete. “As per our goal, we’ll open 18-km stretch of the Kochi metro, completing the construction works, in a record period of three years,” the official said.

The next lengthiest initial section to be opened after the Kochi Metro would be the Mumbai Metro with 11.07 kms. The section from Versova to Ghatkopar, completed last year, was built in six years.

“The civil works including that of the stations will be finished by October this year so as to facilitate the trial run by January 2016. However, we’re facing challenges in the rest of the section in the form of land acquisition delays. Many stretches are yet to be handed over in the South station-Vytilla section,” he said.

Sunday, 17 May 2015

sreedharan 11:05

I was the first to try hybrid mode: Dr.Sreedharan on Thiruvananthapuram and Kozhikode Light Metro

I was the first to try hybrid mode: Dr.Sreedharan on Thiruvananthapuram and Kozhikode Light Metro

Kochi: In the wake of the ongoing debate on private participation for metro rail projects, Principal Adviser of the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) Dr.E.Sreedharan has cited a slew of reasons to prove how the PPP mode will sound the death knell for the Thiruvananthapuram and Kozhikode Light Metro project. In a clarification issued here, he said as the managing director of the DMRC, he was the first person to try the hybrid version of PPP (public-private participation) in the country for the metro’s Delhi airport line.

The cost of civil works and of the land was borne by the DMRC, while the cost of supply and installation of different systems, operation and maintenance, were entrusted to a private firm on an open tender basis.

The private partner did not commission the line in time for the Commonwealth Games, for which purpose this line was sanctioned. Commissioning was delayed by six months. After operating the line for about a year-and-a-half, it simply abandoned and walked out of the contract.

Arbitrators

With the help of influential persons, it also managed to get arbitrators appointed and is now fighting a case against the DMRC. Repetition of such formula in Thiruvananthapuram and Kozhikode will not yield results, where revenue prospects are bleak compared to the Delhi Airport line, Mr.Sreedharan opined.

In such hybrid models, the private partner bloats the estimate, boosts the ridership, and avails itself of hefty loans from banks, makes profit, and walks out. It also uses influence to close the contract on its terms, the ‘metroman’ said. As the DMRC was the owner, operation of the Delhi Airport line could be continued without any break.

Lack of resources

The same will not happen with the Kerala Rapid Transit Corporation, since it will not have the experience and resources to suddenly take over the operation and maintenance, in case the private partner walks away.

Mr. Sreedharan cited how the cost of civil work and land cost worked out to about 55 to 60 percentage of the project cost.

“If the government can find resources for the project’s 55 percentage, why can’t the government itself own and operate the project raising funds from the market? There is no doubt that the quickest and cheapest way of realising a metro project is through full government initiative. In the DMRC model, the government’s outflow can be limited to 25 to 30 percentage of the cost,” Mr. Sreedharan said.

Saturday, 25 April 2015

kochi metro 07:30

Kochi Metro board meet to okay Axis Bank deal

Kochi: An urgent meeting of the board of directors of Kochi Metro Rail Limited will be held in New Delhi on Friday to approve the Axis Bank deal for automatic fare collection card.

The KMRL can go ahead with further steps only after getting the board’s approval. Recently, the Axis Bank had won the national bid for developing and running the automatic fare collection system for Kochi Metro.

In a major deal that will save cost and ensure a future revenue stream, the bank has promised to invest for the system. It will also make a one-time royalty payment of Rs 209 crore to the KMRL.

The deal will help the KMRL save Rs 500-600 crore, the estimated cost for the development and running of the system for all modes of transportation for 10 years.

Coaches of Kochi Metro to be decked with exotic interiors, colours

Tata Elxi, the consultant of the metro for comfort features and branding of coaches, has made an initial presentation at Kochi Metro Rail Limited office.

They say the proposed colour, design and interior features are at par with the international standards.

The next round of meetings with the KMRL officials will be held on April 28 and it will finalise the colour pattern and customer features.

As per the plans, the exterior will be steel coloured while the interior will be painted cool and comfortable colours.

There will be two types of seats, ‘normal’ and ‘priority’. The priority seats, with a different colour pattern, will be reserved for pregnant women, senior citizens and women carrying babies.

Wednesday, 22 April 2015

Thiruvananthapuram 07:29

Actor Mohanlal Pointed the state eagerly waiting for the metro to take off

Thiruvananthapuram (TVC): The Light Metro proposed for Thiruvananthapuram and Kozhikode cities by ‘Metroman’ E.Sreedharan has received the support of a celebrity blogger — actor Mohanlal — who, in his latest post, has supported the Mass Rapid Transport System, which is awaiting the nod of the government for the last six months.

“The open letter” penned by the actor to Mr.Sreedharan is in the backdrop of the statement that the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation was not keen on the projects here in view of the experience in Kerala.

Pointing out that the recent statement had upset him, Mohanlal recalled the note written when Mr.Sreedharan took over the mantle of executing Kochi Metro. “I have high regards for you and have had the opportunity to receive the Padma Shri along with you,” the actor said in the blog.

Kochi Metro

Mohanlal has pointed out that the beginning of Kochi Metro was not that rosy as many did not show the common sense to understand and know a person of your stature. The people of Kochi and the State are eagerly waiting for the Metro to take off.

Recalling the toil behind the success of Konkan Railway, Pamban bridge reconstruction in 40 days and Delhi Metro, the actor asks “if the people do not believe you, who would they believe on this earth ?’’.

“Your arrival, though late, was essential for the State, which is suffocating because of narrow roads, mounting vehicle population and lack of road culture,” the actor says while lauding the commitment, dedication and silent work being carried out for Kerala under Mr.Sreedharan.

Many are hoping that Mr.Sreedharan might withdraw after the hard statement on Light Metro.

“We want you. It is a request from those Keralites who know the value of Mr.Sreedharan to lead us in development in a transparent way”. The actor has tendered apology to Mr.Sreedharan if anything has hurt him.

After quoting the Bhagvad Gita sloka daily rendered by Mr.Sreedharan, he says disappointment is not in the life of Metroman.

“I am also feeling disappointed on learning that there are people who show disrespect to you. All hopes are being lost and hence you should be here,” the actor concludes the blog.

Project officials say the blog that has already become viral reflects the mood prevailing among the people and the high regards for Mr. Sreedharan in Kerala

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