Kochi Metro has turned a watershed in the history of Kerala’s development with its swift construction and the seamless integration of various technologies. The project marked the transition from lassitude to rapid action, from old-fashioned ways to cutting-edge technology, from narrow-minded political squabbles to collective action for development.
Massive infrastructure projects such as the Kannur airport and the Vizhinjam port as well as international events such as the Under-17 Football World Cup have a model worth emulating in Kochi Metro.
When I took charge as an assistant collector in Thrissur in 1981, all we had was marches, strikes and agitations. No work could be done without some irritants. Look at the change witnessed in the construction of Kochi Metro. Kerala could finish a major project with discipline and get the result on track. We have to thank E. Sreedharan, Elias George and all metro staff for the achievement.
Kochi Metro is more important than Delhi Metro or Bengaluru Metro. I can cite five reasons.
1. The project proved that a technologically complex project could be implemented swiftly in Kerala. The skeptics who guesstimated 10 to 15 years for the metro to finish have been proved wrong. The people of Kerala proved themselves to be capable of completing mega projects within deadlines.
2. The metro integrates the most modern technologies from around the world. Modern coaches, electrification and station plans combine in metro. The metro project has brought to Kochi the technical expertise that could be tapped for the development of any city in Kerala.
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3. Just like information technology has hardware and software, development has its hard side and soft side. Along with the successful installation of its metal-and-concrete hardware, Kochi Metro has paid attention to its soft side. Take the training and employment of transgenders for instance. China can boast of unparalleled development but all of it belonged to the hard side. Their development projects are lacking in the soft side that takes into consideration the people. Even Delhi and Bengaluru Metros can’t claim the soft side of development as in Kochi.
4. Kochi Metro has many novelties. It draws 25 percent of its electricity needs from solar power. It also took initiative in appointing women as drivers. The metro has ushered in a cultural transformation in people’s minds. This can be a model for any metro in India.
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5. Kochi Metro is a marvel because of its integration of various modes of transport. Everyone from pedestrians and bicycle riders to bus and boat passengers are connected to metro. No other metro in the world has initiated the convergence of road and water transport. Air transport can also be counted because metro has plans to link the airport. A smart card that can be used in trains, buses and boats is a first in India.
These achievements have to be taken forward. We have to make technological advances in other sectors as well. Our work culture has to change. The professionalism witnessed in the metro work should be emulated in all fields. What we need is an ideology for development and employment generation.
(The author is the CEO of Niti Aayog.)