KMRL is exploring the possibility of implementing a Paris Metro model, where passengers can check in their luggage at the metro station before boarding their flight.
The Kochi Metro Rail Limited (KMRL) has commissioned a Delhi-based consultancy firm to conduct a revised study on the Aluva-Kochi airport extension, which is part of Phase III of the rail project, while simultaneously proceeding with works on Phase II of the metro.
The Urban Mass Transit Company Limited (UMTC), a company that specialises in sustainable urban mobility solutions, will carry out the revised study.
According to KMRL MD Loknath Behera, the need for a new study for Phase III arose as the previous one, conducted in 2014, had become outdated.
“The 2014 study for Phase III has become old. We cannot move ahead with the project based on its data. So, we tasked UMTC with conducting the revised study,” said Behera, reports The New Indian Express.
He added that KMRL aims to release the data on the possibilities and technologies that would need to be incorporated for Phase III by the first or second week of July.
Additionally, KMRL is planning to collaborate with Cochin International Airport Ltd (CIAL), which will benefit from the metro rail’s extension.
Behera said, “As both the Centre and the state governments are involved in the project, it will be good if we can tie up with CIAL to work in collaboration.”
KMRL is exploring the possibility of implementing a Paris Metro model, where passengers can check in their luggage at the metro station before boarding their flight.
According to Behera, the extension of the metro rail to the airport will benefit the people of Kochi and tourists boarding flights from there. He said that the metro and check-in service will help them save money and avoid traffic.
Instead of paying Rs 1,200 for a cab, they will only have to pay a maximum of Rs 60 for a metro ticket and can avail of the baggage check-in facility at the metro station, he added.
After that, they can go straight to the passenger lobby for boarding the flight.
Behera mentioned that major cities like Paris and London provide such services where passengers’ luggage is picked up from the train and moved to the aircraft.
Kochi Metro Phase II
Phase II will have 11 stations covering a length of over 11 km.
The Kochi Metro Rail Phase II network connects Ernakulam City Centre to the suburbs of Infopark and Kakkanad.
The Phase II of the project was approved by the Union cabinet at a cost of Rs 1,957.05 crore.
Phase II Metro will link Water Metro at InfoPark Jetty and Kakkanad Jetty.
It will connect important residential and commercial hubs in the city with well-known transit hubs like railway stations and bus stops, strengthening the idea of multi-modal integration and first/last mile connectivity.
On 1 September, Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the Petta-SN Junction extension and laid the foundation for Phase II of the Kochi Metro Rail Network.
The proposed stations are Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium (new station box), Palarivattom Junction, Palarivattom Bypass, Chembumukku, Vazhakkala, Padamughal (formerly Kunnumpuram), Kakkanad Junction, Cochin SEZ (Special Economic Zone), Chittethukara, KINFRA (formerly Rajagiri), InfoPark 1/Smart City 1, and InfoPark 2/Smart City 2.
The first phase of Kochi Metro from Aluva to Petta, covering a length of 25.6 km with 22 stations, was completed at a cost of Rs 5,181.79 crore and is now fully operational.