Kochi: Aluva, the second biggest town of Greater Kochi, will receive a major facelift if the state government approves a conceptual plan prepared by Kochi Metro Rail Ltd (KMRL) to develop areas along the metro corridor. “Since metro services start from Aluva, the town will see increased activity in terms of both passenger volume and allied transport services once the metro starts chugging. However, the town is very congested and has limited scope for integration of other modes of transport. Also it lacks non-motorised transport facilities like pedestrian-friendly walkways and crossings,” a senior official said.
The plan proposes to develop a 3.7-km primary ring road through which metro feeder services are planned to connect major transit hubs including the railway station, KSRTC bus stand and the private bus stand. The road will be redesigned and retrofitted to provide dedicated space for walking, bus shelters and other infrastructure. Similarly the corridor including the civil station road and Bank road will be redesigned to increase connectivity to the railway station and residential localities along Hill Road.
The plan also proposes to develop the Aluva water front starting from Advaitha Ashram up to the Uliyannoor Bridge as a series of walkways, cycle tracks, public spaces, etc. It will be directly connected to the other non-motorised Transport priority roads proposed for the town. As for the new infrastructure, the conceptual plan envisages a ‘Multi Model Integration Hub’ near the proposed Aluva metro station. It lays special focus on resolving the traffic congestion in Aluva Town.
“As per the proposal, all intra-city and inter-city bus movement, currently through the town area, will be restricted and the current private bus terminal near Aluva metro station will be developed to accommodate all private and KSRTC buses. The current KSRTC stand will then have more space and could also act as a feeder bus terminal,” official said.
