Kochi: In a first of its kind in the state, the Kochi Corporation is planning to form a joint venture company with the Railways to facilitate a suburban train network for the urban agglomeration.
The Southern Railway’s announcement on the introduction of DEMU (diesel electric multiple unit) service between Aluva and Tripunithura is part of the likely partnership between the two entities.
In the annual budget for 2015–2016, the corporation announced introduction of ‘City Rail MEMU Service’ to connect the Ernakulam South and North stations with short distance destinations like Tripunithura, Kumbalam, Aluva and old harbour station.
“The mayor has written a letter to the top officials of Railways expressing willingness to share part of the total project cost after which the Railways announced the Aluva – Tripunithura DEMU services. Like some of the other metropolitan cities, we are exploring the possibilities of forming a joint venture company with the Railways,” said Corporation Town Planning Committee chairman K.J Sohan.
The estimated cost of the City Rail MEMU Service is Rs. 30 crore, of which the Railways will chip in Rs. 15 crore. The corporation has agreed to contribute Rs. 7.5 crore with the state government’s approval.
Southern Railways general manager Ashok K Agarwal on the other day announced that the Aluva – Tripunithura service will be operational once the DEMU rakes come.
The plan is to operate four shuttle services having a travelling time of 45 minutes. The ticket fare will be the same that of a passenger train.
“The Railways will be requested to operate DEMU service in Mattancherry halt – Aluva and Mattancherry halt – Tripunithura sections. The services will be cost effective and much useful as thousands of commuters traveling along this route,” added K. J Sohan.
