PM Narendra Modi flagged off India’s first integrated multi-mode transport unit—the Kochi Metro today after. Kerala’s first metro service, Kochi Metro employed 23 transgender employees in various departments. For those who don’t know, this is the fastest metro to be built in our country. Not only this, it’s the first public transport system to be driven by transgender and women of a self-help group.
Here’s all that you need to know about Kochi Metro inauguration.
What’s Unique about Kochi Metro?
- The first-of-its-kind, Kochi Metro is the first ever metro train in India to use communication-based vehicle control technology for maximizing frequencies. This will help train operators deal with technical errors.
- The first phase of Kochi metro project is the longest one, covering nearly 13 km distance. The newly inaugurated project includes 11 metro stations.
- In a bid to promote South India’s vast cultural diversity, the engineers built theme-based metro stations that depict various cities. The project is visually appealing.
Exclusive photos of Kochi Metro.
- The humanitarian aspect is what differentiates it from rest of the metro cities. Knowing that Kerala is a state having the highest literacy rate in India, the government made it a point to reserve seats for the transgender class. Thus, giving them the opportunity to live a respectable life.
- The train is built, keeping in mind, long-term energy-saving goals. Each metro station in Kochi has deployed solar panels that will produce electricity. The power produced will compensate 35% of the total power requirement of the metro.
- The train will connect Aluva to Palarivattom in just 23 minutes. Earlier, it took 45 minutes to cover this distance on road.
Why is this project important for both Kerala and the Centre Government?
Considering the strained relations between the Centre and Kerala government, the Kochi Metro project will help bridge this gap. The project started in 2012 before the BJP came to power. It was supervised by the DMRC (Delhi Metro Rail Corporation), which was once headed by E. Shreedharan: India’s ‘Metro Man’. The total cost of the project is Rs 5,180 crores and the fare rates have been set within the range of Rs 15 to 30.
PM Modi inaugurated Kochi Metro by cutting the ribbon t Palarivattom station. He was accompanied by Kerala CM Pinarayi Vijayan, Urban Development Minister Mr. Venkaiah Naidu and Governor P Sathasivam. The dignitaries enjoyed their train ride, following which they left for the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium to attend the official inauguration function.
By launching India’s first, transgender-oriented, energy savvy, communication technology based Metro, Kochi has set a commendable example for other states.
