Multi-level parking for Metro

Kochi: The bigger Kochi Metro Rail stations like Kaloor will have multi-level parking lots to persuade those with cars to use it more frequentl. The idea is also to make optimum use of the land available for parking, sources said.

“A major chunk of those who use the Metro will be car owners who want to avoid the traffic on the roads. But if they don’t have adequate parking space, they may prefer to use their cars instead, defeating the purpose of introducing the Metro,”  points out one officer of the Kochi Metro Rail Ltd (KMRL). Multi-level parking lots will reportedly be built at at least four stations, including  CUSAT and Kaloor.

“The CUSAT station which will be used by commuters from Trikkakara and Eloor as well,  has parking space for only 20 vehicles. This is clearly inadequate, and leaves us no option but to provide a multi-level parking faciltiy here,” add KMRL officers. As of now, adequate parking space is available only at the Aluva, Kalamassery, Edapally and Petta stations.

As the government’s financial assistance is restricted to construction of the actual Metro Rail infrastructure under the terms of the agreement drawn up, the KMRL could build the parking lots on a public private partnership basis, sources add. The Metro is also reportedly in talks with the railways to use the parking space at the Ernakulam South station for its passengers.

Next: Ferry service has no bus link

Ferry service has no bus link

Hiran Unnikrishnana | DC

Kochi: The new ferry route between Vyttila and Kakkanad may have been greeted with much enthusiasm, but it will be a ride to nowhere for commuters bound for Kakkanad town in the absence of adequate bus services from the Chitrapuzha side.

According to officials of the State Water Transport Department, the critical shortage of public transport has cast a shadow on the ferry service,  the first of the feeder systems for the Kochi Metro Rail, set to begin on Tuesday.

“The jetty located  opposite  the Kochi Infopark is about two kilometers away from the District Collectorate. But there are only a couple of bus  services to this area, making the onward journey very difficult for those commuting to the various government offices here or  the Special Economic Zone,’’said a KSWTD official.

When contacted ,  KSWTD transport superintendent,  Sathyan said  the authorities were planning to introduce autorickshaw services between the boat landing station and the town.

“The ferry will take about half the time of bus services and the passengers can then proceed to their respective destinations  by using autorickshaws,’’ he added. Passengers are worried that this could add to the travel cost.

Next: Pipeline shifting on SA?Road begins

Pipeline shifting on SA?Road begins

Kochi: The Kerala Water Authority (KWA) has begun work on shifting the water supply pipeline running beneath the median on the Sahodaran Ayyappan Road to either side of it to make way for the Kochi Metro Rail.  Once pipelines are laid for about 3,000 metres on either side of SA Road, the existing line passing beneath the median  will be abandoned.

The delay in shifting the pipeline has hit Metro Rail work on this stretch and the Kochi Metro Rail Limited has now brought pressure on the KWA to  treat the matter with urgency , pointing out that it can start the piling work only after the pipelines are moved to either side of the road. In the first phase, pipelines are being shifted between Elamkulam Puthenpalam and the GCDA office.

Pipeline shifting work progressing at SA Road in city    – Arunchandra Bose

The KWA  has promised to finish laying the pipeline in 60 days on the first stretch and hand it over to the Metro authorities by January 1. It also agreed to meet the cost of shifting the pipeline and complete the work in 90 days at  the Metro review meeting chaired by Chief Minister Oomen Chandy recently.

While the contractor hired for the job has already started laying the pipeline on one side of the SA road,  the trenching is being done manually as  its feared the drilling machines could damage the  live underground electric cables at the spot.