THE TRPA BLOG

Funding row may delay Kochi Metro rail

Special Correspondent

KOCHI: The reluctance of the Planning Commission to sanction a Centre-State funding system for the Kochi Metro rail project has once again brought questions on the status of the project, eagerly awaited by the local populace. While the State has been repeatedly demanding that the project be taken up by the Central and State governments, the new guideline given by the Commission favours a public-private participatory mode without Central funding.

The Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC), entrusted with the task of undertaking initial works for the project, is in the process of widening the rail overbridge at Ernakulam North and certain roads along the route. As the government in the State is on the last lap of its term, the decision on the funding pattern is expected to be taken only by the next government.

Study results

A study on the viability of the project, submitted by DMRC in 2005, predicted that the Aluva-Petta corridor would have a traffic of 13,681 persons per hour per direction (phpdt). It is likely to increase to 23,621 by 2025, it said.

The study, based on the 2001 census, had pointed out the need for the execution of the project. With the growing population and mega development plans coming up for the port city, the travel demand is expected to grow steadily. With inadequate public transport services, passengers will shift to private vehicles. This will not only aggravate congestion on city roads, but also increase pollution. The carrying capacity of light metro system is up to 25,000 phpdt which will take care of the traffic needs for the Greater Cochin area for the next 25 years, the study said.

The metro rail issue was a hot topic in the Assembly elections held earlier this month. Notably, the Planning Commission's latest position would have created its own impact on the different candidates' prospects had the decision been announced prior to the election.

(The Hindu dt 25-4-2011)