Kochi Metro was inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi today.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated Kochi Metro on Saturday. He was accompanied by Governor P Sathasivam, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan and Union Urban Development Minister M Venkaiah Naidu.
'Metro man' E Sreedharan, Urban Development Secretary Rajiv Gouba, Kerala Chief Secretary Nalini Netto and and KMRL MD Elias George also travelled with Prime Minister during his maiden journey in Kochi Metro from Palarivattom to Pathadippalam.
Before boarding the train, Modi cut the ribbon at Palarivattom station. The prime minister, who began his speech in Malayalam, said he was happy to be part of the inauguration of the Kochi Metro. "I congratulate the people of Kochi on the proud moment," he said.
PM Modi also hailed several "several significant features", which includes:
- Kochi Metro Rail Limited (KMRL) is a 50-50 joint venture of the Centre and the state government.
- The Centre has so far released over Rs 2,000 crore for the project.
- Coaches of the metro reflect 'Make in India' vision. They have been built by Alstom near Chennai and have an Indian component of around 70%.
- Kochi Metro is considered the fastest completed metro project in the country. It will start the revenue operations on June 19 from 6 AM onwards.
- The trains will start from Aluva and Palarivattom from 6 AM simultaneously and finish the day's ride at 10 PM at Aluva. The headway will be 8.20 minutes and there will be 219 trips between 6 AM and 10 PM.
- Former prime minister Manmohan Singh had laid the foundation of the project on September 13, 2012 and the construction began in June, 2013 during the tenure of the previous Congress-led UDF government headed by Oommen Chandy.
- The estimated completion cost of the Kochi Metro is Rs 5,181.79 crore.
- 1,000 women and 23 transgenders have been selected to work in the Kochi Metro Rail System. The women belong to Kudumbasree group - the women empowerment-oriented, community-based, poverty reduction self-help group project of the Kerala government. They will provide a vast array of services from customer relations, crowd management, housekeeping and catering services, which once operational, will be the largest crew of women to be employed by any metro.
- Every metro station has been designed on a specific theme around Kerala culture and geography.
- The new transport system is expected to enhance the quality of life for the Greater Kochi metro area by improving regional connectivity and reducing overcrowding and traffic congestion.
(With agency inputs)
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