Latest news with #KochiMetro
New Indian Express
2 days ago
- General
- New Indian Express
Kochi Metro boat grazes Ro-Ro vessel at Vypeen; none injured
KOCHI: A Kochi Water Metro ferry brushed a Ro-Ro jhankar at Vypeen jetty on Saturday morning after its pilot lost control of the vessel due to strong undercurrents. However, no one was hurt. The incident happened at 10.23am when the metro boat from High Court veered in the gushing waters while attempting to berth at Vypeen jetty. The boat went 20m rearward and brushed the jhankar berthed at the adjacent corporation jetty. The jhankar was ready to set off for Fort Kochi with passengers and vehicles on board. The steel railing on the side of the jhankar was damaged. The metro boat also suffered slight damages. A Kochi Metro spokesperson however said that neither of the vessels suffered any damage. 'All the passengers alighted safely after the vessel was moved to the boat jetty. Ferry services were suspended for close to two hours as the undercurrents due to low tide were strong,' the official said. Kochi Metro Rail Ltd has instituted an internal probe.
New Indian Express
20-05-2025
- General
- New Indian Express
KMRL: High upkeep cost behind call to lay paver tiles on medians
KOCHI: As environmentalists and various political outfits have intensified their protests against Kochi Metro replacing micro gardens with concrete paver tiles on medians along the metro corridor, Kochi Metro Rail Ltd (KMRL) has cited high maintenance cost - amounting to Rs 8 crore per annum - for not retaining the green spaces. 'There are 400 median stretches along the Aluva-Tripunithura metro corridor and only 60 of them have sponsorships. Some of the sponsors are no longer in the picture, though their advertisement are still visible, for instance on the Banerjee Road stretch,' a senior KMRL official said. According to him, a sum of Rs 25,000 is needed every month to maintain a single stretch of garden. 'It costs around Rs 2.5 crore annually to maintain a single stretch. The total annual maintenance cost adds up to Rs 8 crore. Taking out the stretches with sponsors, it will still cost us Rs 6-6.5 crore for garden maintenance,' the official said. KMRL recently issued a tender for median beautification by laying concrete paver tiles in the stretch between Edappally and SN Junction. The work includes the laying of 60 mm thick concrete paver tiles over a 50 mm bed of 6 mm aggregates. 'The licensee shall do the levelling, filling and compacting of the medians, laying of paver tiles and shall install MS railing in all the medians,' the tender document read. However, various environmental organisations have come out in the open against the move, saying that it is in complete violation of 'promises' initially made to set up gardens along the medians and maintain them. 'During discussions with environmental activists when trees were cut for metro rail construction from Aluva to Pettah, the then metro authorities promised to plant flowering plants to beautify the medians. The authorities should step back from the move and take steps to fill the medians with plants and greenery,' a joint statement said.
New Indian Express
20-05-2025
- Business
- New Indian Express
KMRL will lead Water Metro studies nationwide, says minister P Rajeeve
KOCHI: The Kochi Metro has garnered global attention and it's a matter of pride for the entire Kerala that the Kochi Metro Rail Ltd (KMRL) is entrusted with the study to start water metro in various centres across the country, Industries Minister P Rajeev said on Monday. He was inaugurating the state-of-the-art fuel station at Kalamassery, a joint project of KMRL and BPCL. He urged KMRL to examine whether the green spaces along the medians between metro stations can be maintained with the help of various other agencies, despite the metro facing financial crunch. Hibi Eden MP said that no metro system in the country is profitable and that the metro authorities here are leaving no stone unturned to generate revenue. 'The fuel station venture is the latest example of that. It will give a big boost to the efforts to increase non-fare revenue. The KMRL will get Rs 40 lakh lease amount besides a profit share that corresponds with the sales.' 'Now the 24-hour fuel station caters to petrol, diesel and electric vehicles. We're in talks over making available CNG fuel as well,' Loknath Behara, KMRL managing director, said.
New Indian Express
20-05-2025
- Politics
- New Indian Express
CM charts vision for ‘New Kerala' on govt's fourth anniversary
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: On the fourth anniversary of the government, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan reaffirmed his administration's commitment to building a 'New Kerala' - a forward-looking, inclusive society shaped for future generations. 'New Kerala,' he said, 'will be a developed society where equality and brotherhood prevail.' Emphasising progress across sectors like infrastructure, education and social welfare, the CM underscored the state's resolve to ensure a brighter future for every Keralite. Reflecting on the LDF's journey since coming to power in 2016, Pinarayi noted the severe challenges inherited from the previous administration, including economic stagnation and institutional setbacks. 'Now, the notion that nothing would happen in Kerala has disappeared. The critics are silent,' he said. Pinarayi also pointed out the landmark achievements that redefined the state's development trajectory. 'The Vizhinjam International Port, which puts Kerala on the world map, has become a reality. One hundred percent of the project's construction has been carried out since the time of the previous LDF government,' he noted. He also cited the completion of major projects like the Kochi Metro, GAIL pipeline, Kannur airport and key industrial and research initiatives.
New Indian Express
13-05-2025
- Business
- New Indian Express
What's in a name? Great deals as it turns out for Kochi Metro
KOCHI: Kochi Metro stations are taking on new names. With average daily ridership inching towards the one-lakh mark, there is increased demand for co-branding the stations. In fact, firms have already lapped up rights to 18 of the 25 metro stations in the Aluva-Tripunithura corridor. The remaining seven stations are currently up for the taking. 'The high-visibility stations — Tripunithura Terminal, Ernakulam South, MG Road, Vyttila, Kaloor, Maharaja's College and Kadavanthra are open for co-branding,' a senior KMRL official said. Of these, the rate for Ernakulam South has been set at Rs 52 lakh per year, followed by MG Road, Vyttila, Kaloor and Maharaja's College (Rs 42 lakh), Kadavanthra (Rs 37 lakh), and Tripunithura Terminal (Rs 30 lakh).
