Keralites living abroad are familiar with public transport systems that allow you to travel faster than in a car but with the same convenience. Have you ever wondered when will you be able to see such facilities in your homeland?
Kerala is close to providing its people an opportunity to experience efficient and punctual public transport - on land, water and metro rail. At least parts of urban Kerala will have facilities with global standards. And these are not limited to a privileged few. These are for everyone.
Kochi is changing. It is growing into one of the biggest cities in Asia and one of the best tourism destinations in the world. The change is driven by Kochi Metro, Water Metro and the Union government’s Smart City scheme.
Metro Rail alone has received investment of more than Rs 5,000 crore. Its extension to Kakkanad and Thripunithura will cost Rs 2,500 crore more. Water Metro to modernize water transport is a Rs 1,000 crore project.
Kochi is one of the 20 cities initially selected for the Union government’s Smart City project. More than Rs 2,000 crore has been allotted under the project.
These projects have ushered in investment to the tune of about Rs 11,000 crore to Kochi. A mid-tier city like Kochi has never seen such fund flow for infrastructure development.
Work on coordinating modes of public transport will start as soon as the Kerala Legislative Assembly passes the Unified Metropolitan Transport Authority Bill. The plan is not just to run the metro but to make it into a comprehensive transport system by integrating bus and boat services.
Water Metro is designed to transform the coastal itineraries and lifestyles of Kochi. This will propel Kochi into one of the premier tourism destinations in the world.
The Smart City project will ensure uninterrupted supply of drinking water, electricity, waste management, transport and IT-enabled services in Kochi. The city will be more attractive with separate paths for pedestrians and bicycle riders. The Kochi corporation is a major partner in the Smart City project.
Kochi Metro owes the people of Kochi for their unlimited support and cooperation. The same model would be used in other projects as well. A force of technically brilliant youngsters are always available for the replication of the success.
The Kochi Metro Rail Limited (KMRL), the Kochi Smart Mission Limited, the Kochi corporation and the Greater Cochin Development Corporation (GCDA), the organizations entrusted with the execution of the projects, have challenges galore.
They have to ensure that the massive investments are utilized efficiently and transparently in tandem with each other. They have to sync with the existing Infopark and SmartCity Kochi projects. This can be attained only through planning at the grass roots.
The sharing of the projects’ targets and milestone achievements with the public is essential for ensuring quality standards and transparency in execution. Feedback from the public has to be incorporated into planning whenever possible.
If the people can work along with the execution agencies, Kochi can be developed into one of the best cities in Asia and one of the best tourism destinations in the world. Kochi’s historical and cultural heritage is an asset in this path.
(The writer is the managing director of the Kochi Metro Rail Limited)
