KOCHI: Union Urban Development Minister M. Venkaiah Naidu on Saturday reminded the Kerala Government that proper feasibility and travel demand study should be made before going for the metro system as this is highly cost intensive. He said this at the Kochi Metro inaugural function, after mentioning that State Government has proposed light metro projects in the cities of Thiruvananthapuram and Kozhikode and has also proposed Kochi Metro II phase of 11.20 km from JN Stadium to Kakkanad at a cost Rs 2,577 crore.
“Certain (Kochi) city improvement projects are also planned such as pedestrianisation of hospital road, junction improvements to improve the traffic flow, proper integration of different forms of public transportation at a cost of Rs 161 crore,” he said. He, however, said public transport and non-motorised transport is being encouraged by the Centre in a big way to address the issues of congestion and pollution.
