KOCHI: The KMRL will formally begin the work on ‘Water Metro,’ the integrated water transport project for Greater Kochi, on Monday with the state government signing an agreement with the German bank KFW for funding it. A team of Kochi Metro Rail Limited officials led by managing director Elias George will visit the proposed areas for the project from Monday. Beginning with the Kadamakkudy island, the team will go to areas in all the six panchayats, four municipalities and corporation which come under the project.
The officials will also make a presentation on the salient features of the project for the panchayat members and other civic officials. Some of the major points to be discussed are the location of the boat jetties, ancillary facilities, including the possibilities of commercial development, requirement of land for construction of the landing jetties, route improvement proposals for connecting the jetties with the larger transportation network, lighting of public spaces, dredging requirements, integrating water transport project with the panchayats’ plan and providing technical expertise for quality improvement of the panchayats’ infrastructure development plan.
“The initiative is part of our objective to improve the public transport system and the livelihoods in coastal areas and on the islands. It will improve connectivity, better access roads and street lighting, as well as provide electric/CNG buses as feeder services to connect boat jetties with other public transit systems,” said Mr Elias George.
“Before formally launching the project, a series of preparatory works has to be completed like identifying the land for jetty construction and access roads and transit-oriented development. The official inauguration of the project will be finalised in consultation with the government,” said a top official.
