KOCHI: Kochi Metro authorities have held preliminary talks with South Korean subway line Incheon Metro for availing technological support for the city metro rail project. E Sreedharan, managing director, Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC), said that if both sides reach an agreement, the Kochi metro rail project would get the Maglev technology.
Maglev or magnetic levitation uses magnetic levitation to suspend, guide and propel mass rapid systems from magnets rather than using friction-reliant wheels, axles and bearings. High-speed Maglev vehicles are lifted off their guideway and thus move smoothly, quietly and require less maintenance - regardless of the speed."It will reduce the construction cost by 20% and the running cost by nearly 25%," he said, adding that the project could be completed in two and a half years time.
Sreedharan was addressing media persons along with the minister of state for agriculture, consumer affairs, food & public distribution, K V Thomas at New Delhi on Wednesday. The DMRC chief said that he would hold discussions with chief minister, Oomen Chandy on November 21, and ruled out the requirement for submitting a new Detailed Project Report (DRP) to implement the new technology. Introduction of Maglev would result in smaller metro cars, simple infrastructure and station complexes. Though the technology ensures a speed of 581 kilometres per hour, for commercial purpose it can go up to 300 kilometres per hour."Except for the technology, compartments and signalling systems, the rest of the project can be designed in the country," he said adding that a detailed presentation would be made before delegates from Kochi Corporation who would be in the capital. The Maglev technology wouldn't be limited to Kochi metro alone. Instead it would be brought in for the entire nation. He has already discussed with union minister for urban development, Kamal Nath and Delhi chief minister Sheila Dikshit in this regard. During his recent visit to South Korea, he held discussions with authorities of Incheon Metro. Japan is a country that has successfully implemented Maglev technology. Minister K V Thomas said that the union cabinet is in the final stage to give clearance to Kochi metro project. and further discussions would be held with union minister for finance Pranab Mukherjee and deputy chairman, planning commission Montek Singh Ahluwalia.
Maglev or magnetic levitation technology (Maglev) or magnetic suspension is a method by which an object is suspended with no support other than magnetic fields. We can have High speed trains with minimal noise and smaller in size. No complex infrastructure required. Passenger carrying capacity remains the same as that of other metro systems.
(TNN | Nov 17, 2011, 04.01AM IST)
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