Metro a must !

With all due respect, let us say that Justice Krishna Iyer
and Justice Narayana Kurup are totaly wrong in opposing
Metro. It is out of sheer lack of information that such a
weird stance was taken by these eminent citizen. This
article from The hindu brings out clearly the sweeping
effect of Delhi Metro ushered into NCR's socio-economic
scenario.
Same DMRC has studied a detailed study running over
years in the planning of Kochi Metro Rail - KMR. The
eminent citizens above seems completely out of touch
with reality. Anycase, the meeting with Chief Minister
has clearly spelt out that there no change in the plans
for Metro. giving hope that Kerala's only and South
India's fastest growing metropolis will leap ahead with
its transport plans.

Kochi can take a cue from Delhi Metro

Staff Reporter

A more efficient, pollution-free mode of transport

KOCHI: Despite those opposing the proposed elevated metro-rail system in Kochi listing some demerits of the project, regular commuters of the Delhi metro rail are all praise for the metro-rail network in Delhi.

The Central Road Research Institute (CRRI) had recently released data on how the metro-rail project had a positive influence on the socio-economic fronts in Delhi and the reduction in automobile-induced pollution in the city. At a recent meeting here, detractors of the project said that the metro-coaches would create sound pollution. They also spoke of the high cost of travel, damage to Kochi’s aesthetics (despite the city already being notorious for ill-maintained and dangerous roads, footpaths, medians and drains, apart from encroachments), regular traffic being thrown haywire when the construction of rails is on etc... Full story

Traffic nightmare quantified

Heavy traffic volume slows the pace of Kochi city

Staff Reporter

KOCHI: How it feels to be in the heart of Kochi city during peak time traffic? Ask anyone who has experienced it and one would have a rather resigned look on one’s face. And it tells the tale.

That vehicles and traffic in the city have grown beyond what the city can accommodate has long been known. The final draft of the City Mobility Plan (CMP) placed before the Kochi Corporation puts that into numbers.

As per a traffic analysis , intra-city trips (within Kochi) on any day were not less than 2,27,844; whereas total trips to and from the city were 2,82,377. Of the intra-city trips, 1,35,682 trips were by buses, 56,396 by two-wheelers, 46,523 on foot and 16,393 trips by cars. While 91,137 trips were for work, 13,901 were social trips and 11,014 trips were for recreation. Trips related to education purposes came to 9,291. According to the CMP, to accommodate this mammoth traffic, the Kochi Corporation has a road network of 614 km — 17 km of arterial roads, 53 km of sub-arterial roads and 393 km of local streets. Full story