Latest news with #KochiMetroRailLtd
New Indian Express
9 hours ago
- Business
- New Indian Express
Water Metro going green; betting big on solar power
KOCHI: In a major push for sustainable transportation, the Kochi Water Metro Ltd (KWML) has embarked on an ambitious project to set up a solar farm at Purakkad, in Alappuzha, besides implementing rooftop solar-panel systems at its terminals and buildings. This is in line with the ambitious plan of the Kochi Metro Rail Ltd (KMRL), its parent, to go carbon neutral by 2030. 'We've identified 90 acres of land in Purakkad. We expect the revenue department to hand over the land soon. The plan is to set up a CIAL-model solar farm that will produce 17 MW of power daily. Once we start generating electricity, we will enter into a trade off with the Kerala State Electricity Board (KSEB) through its power grid scheme, whereby an equivalent amount to power will be made available in Kochi to fuel the entire water metro fleet,' Sajan P John, chief operating officer (COO) of KWML, told TNIE.
Time of India
4 days ago
- Business
- Time of India
Nod for additional land acquisition for Chilavannoor Bund Road bridge
Kochi: Expediting land acquisition procedures for reconstruction of Chilavannoor Bund Road bridge, revenue department issued an order approving recommendation of expert committee report for additional land for the project in old bridge area. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now An additional 0.1127 hectares in Poonithura village will be acquired for construction work of approach road and bridge. The project is being implemented as part of Integrated Urban Regeneration and Water Transport System (IURWTS) project of Kochi Metro Rail Ltd (KMRL), and state govt has already accorded sanction for the revised tender of Rs 38.77 crore for the bridge. Earlier, KIIFB accorded sanction for the reconstruction at an estimated cost of Rs 32.58 crore. Following this, KMRL published tender and work was awarded to ULCCS. Although initial construction work, including piling, commenced, the project required additional land, prompting the latest decision to acquire more land to ensure the project's completion. The narrow bridge is one of the major causes of stagnation and flooding in and around the city. New bridge will be an iconic 90m span bridge, which is expected to reduce flooding in the city.
New Indian Express
5 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.
Time of India
20-05-2025
- Business
- Time of India
KMRL to start e-bus charter service in Kochi today
Kochi: In a fresh initiative, Kochi Metro Rail Ltd (KMRL) will be launching charter e-bus services in city areas using the electric AC buses of 'Metro Connect' feeders. KMRL started bookings for the services, which will be available on a daily and monthly rental basis. The first charter service will begin from Kalamassery Metro station on Tuesday and has been availed by a private hospital for its staff and patients. The charter services will be conducted without affecting the existing feeder bus service, said a KMRL source. Currently, KMRL is operating feeder bus services on various routes, including MG Road-Marine Drive circular route. Eicher's 32-seater AC electric buses are used for these services, with the aim to provide last-mile connectivity and boost ridership of Kochi Metro. KMRL authorities expect the charter services to further boost ridership. "The charter services can be operated from any metro station to any destination within the permitted distance. Any firm or individual can book the service by submitting an application at KMRL office. The services are expected to be helpful for companies, groups and families planning city trips," said a source. The maximum distance per day will be 60km one way from any Metro station premises or Muttom e-bus depot. The service will be operational for a maximum of eight hours per day. KMRL authorities informed that a 10% discount would be offered for services availed beyond a month. Charges per day are Rs 24,000, and additional charges beyond 120 km will be Rs 100/km. Meanwhile, KMRL is yet to launch the Metro Connect services on Panampilly Nagar-Kadavanthra circular route.
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.
