Kerala Corporation for EU transport solutions project

Innovative sustainable urban mobility solutions are shared among select cities of Europe, Asia, Latin American and the Mediterranean under the Sharing Opportunities for Low Carbon Urban Transportation (SOLUTIONS) project. Kochi was selected last December by the European Commission for it along with major cities in Brazil, Mexico, China and Turkey. The project is expected to be completed by April 2016.

After a presentation by project consultant for SOLUTIONS and transport expert, Ashish Rao Ghorpade, here on Friday, Mayor Tony Chammany told reporters that a detailed project report would be submitted to the state transport department to take it further. “The project, which is expected to bring dynamic changes in the urban transport sector, will be implemented with the support of the state government and other stakeholders, including Kochi Metro Rail Limited, the city police and Motor Vehicle Department,” he explained.

Mr Ghorpade said Kochi would partner with the city of Hangzhou in China, which is a role model in innovative urban transport solutions.

As many as 27 expert organisations in the transport sector from 18 countries are associated with the project. “As a take-up city, Kochi can benefit through directly interacting with other cities and learn about successful models,” he added.

A presentation was also made on ‘Urban Green Growth Strategies for Indian Cities’ that will be implemented by the International Council for Local Environmental Initiatives-South Asia (ICLEI) in 12 Indian cities, including Kochi. The project aims at helping cities develop a deeper understanding of green growth benefits and opportunities and potential for urban development.

Deputy mayor B. Bhadra, DCP R. Nishanthini and representatives of KMRL and the motor vehicle department also attended the meeting.