KOCHI: A high-level three-member delegation of the French funding agency AFD (Agence Francaise de Developpement) reviewed the Kochi Metro project on Tuesday and expressed satisfaction over the progress.
After visiting the project sites, the team held discussions with top officials of Kochi Metro Rail Limited over the next step for funding the Metro extensions, depending on the changes made in the Detailed Project Report. The scope of work for the initiative 'Mobilize your City' in Kochi was also discussed during the meeting.
The AFD team held discussions on the project progress, status of procurement, updated calendar of implementation, submission of quarterly progress report, draw-downs forecast and feedback on the initial months of operation (ridership, revenue, potential difficulties encountered during operation).
The AFD team comprising Mr. Herve Dubreuil (deputy director, AFD India), Ms. Lise Breuil (head, Transport Division, AFD Paris) and Mr. Mathieu Verdure (project manager, Transport Division, AFD Paris) visited Metro stations at Maharajas, Palarivattom, Edappally, Aluva and Muttom, and also the depot and operation control room at Muttom.
The team subsequently visited the work sites near South Railway station and also the NMT sites at Aluva and Edappally.
The team members said that they were very happy to associate with KMRL, especially considering the fact that Kochi Metro was a flagship project undertaken by the funding agency, which includes several initiatives other than mass transit.
In December last year, the AFD cleared the loan of 175 million euro, nearly Rs.1300 crore for the Kakkanad extension of Kochi Metro.
The agency approved the loan at an interest rate of 1.35 per cent with a repayment term of 25 years. It has been agreed that the first installment of the loan will be disbursed after getting the Centre's approval.
Award for ‘Seamless Transport’
Kochi Metro Rail Ltd's 'Seamless Transport for Kochi' project has been awarded the under the 'Best City in Urban Transport Initiatives' category by the Union Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs.
The award was presented by K.T. Rama Rao, Telengana's minister of municipal administration and urban development, during the valedictory session of the 10th Urban Mobility India Conference held in Hyderabad. The award was received by state transport secretary K.R. Jyothilal on behalf of the state government and Thiruman Archunan, director, projects, KMRL.
