Kochi Metro Starts Operations. All You Need To Know About It

The charm of Kochi's ethereal beauty would increase by a great degree when technology's Midas touch blesses its connectivity. The Kochi Metro, the first phase of which was inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on June 17, has officially started operations on June 19. 

Along with starting operations, the Kochi Metro Rail Corporation on June 17 organised a Sneha Yatra for more than 1,550 people with physical and cognitive disabilities. People who participated came from special schools, orphanages and old age homes. Moreover, a special yatra was organised for the workers who worked on the project. Their family members were also invited for a traditional Kerala Sadya (feast), prior to the inauguration.

While city dwellers beat the Monday blues by travelling in Kochi Metro, here is everything you need to know about the network: 

Key Features of Kochi Metro

• The project is being executed by the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) and operations would be run by the Kochi Metro Rail Limited (KMRL). German company Kreditanstalt für Wiederaufbau is assisting the project execution.

• According to official estimates, the network will be built at an estimated cost of Rs 5,182 crore while other estimates show the government may spend as much as Rs 6,000 over the project.

List of Kochi Metro Stations

There will a total of 22 stations, covering an area of 26 kilometres.  These include:

• Aluva
• Pulinchodu
• Companypady
• Ambattukavu
• Muttom
• Kalamassery
• Cochin University
• Pathadipalam
• Edapally
• Changampuzha Park
• Palarivattom
• JLN Stadium
• Kaloor
• Lissie
• M.G Road
• Maharaja's College
• Ernakulam south
• Kadavanthra
• Elamkulam
• Vytila
• Thaikoodam
• Petta

In Phase-I, three-coach Metro trains would run covering 11 stations between Aluva and Palarivattom, a distance of 13 kms. While formal operations start on June 17, a trial run of six trains has been going on for the past six months.

How To Reach Kochi Metro Station

Your ride with the Kochi Metro will only get more joyful if you live in an area which lies at a distance from a station and you would need the services of public transport to reach here. Part of the integrated public transport system, boats and buses will be at your service.

While Rs 800 crore are reportedly being spent to set up Water Metro, as the boats are popular known, authorities will restructure the existing bus network to improve services. However, you might have to wait till 2019 before you can take your first boat ride to your Metro station, as the 76-km-long route with modern passenger vessels and boat jetties is expected to go into operation from next year.

Fare Details of Kochi Metro

Depending on the distance covered, a passenger may have to pay between Rs 10 and Rs 60. As is the case with other Metro networks, the Kochi Metro, too, would have an automatic fare collection system, with a combination of smart card and computerised paper tickets. Also, to enable passengers to use all the services provided under the integrated network, a prepaid card, Kochi One, will be launched.

What makes the Kochi Metro different from others?

Here are certain things that are unique about the Kochi Metro:

• Kochi will be the first Tier-II city in India to run a Metro network.  Otherwise, it is the eight city in India to start commercial operations of the Metro network.

• Kochi will be the first city in India with a boat service as a feeder to a Metro network. There would be 78 speed boats and 38 boat jetties to serve you.

•  Twenty three people from the LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender) community would also be recruited as part of the project.

• Roofs of all stations of the Kochi metro will have solar power panels and are likely to generate 2.3 megawatts of electricity.

• A vertical garden will be erected on select pillars along the corridor.