URBAN MOBILITY INTERNATIONAL AND INDIAN ACTIVITIES METRO NEWSLETTERS 79 - 87; September 2019 gathered by Dr. F. A. Wingler METRO NEWSLETTERS on “URBAN MOBILITY AS A SERVICE” PUBLIC MULTIMODAL URBAN, SUBURBAN AND INTERURBAN PASSENGER TRANSIT SYSTEMS WITH METRO-BUS, LIGHT-RAIL, TRAM-TRAIN, METRO-RAIL, METRO-TRAIN, REGIONAL RAPID TRANSIT, COMMUTER-RAIL, ROPE-WAY/TRAIN, MAGLEV AND HOVERCRAFT TRANSIT/PEOPLE MOVER, WATER-METRO, AUTONOMOUS PEOPLE-MOVER TRANSPORTATION AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENTS IN MODERN URBAN/MEGAPOLIS ENVIROMENT METRO Newsletter by Dr. F.A. Wingler METRO 77, July 2019 Digitalised Rail World 1 PART I: INDIAN ACTIVITIES AND INITIATIVES FOR URBAN MOBILITY AS A SERVICE Exclusive Interview with Mr. Thiruman Archunan, Director – Projects, Kochi Metro Rail Limited, on Progress of Kochi Metro; India June 28, 2019 Interviews Mr. Thiruman Archunan, Director – Projects, Kochi Metro Rail Limited, is in charge of all Civil works related to KMRL (Kochin Metro Rail Limited): Construction of metro stations, viaduct, track, depot, and others works related to Roads, improvements to city landscape, Place making and other NMT (Non-Motorised Transport) related works, modernised ferry services etc“. Rail Analysis: What is the current Progress of Kochi Metro? Mr. Thiruman Archunan: The approved Phase-I of Kochi Mero Rail is from Aluva to Petta is 25.16 km with 22 stations. The stretch from Aluva to Palarivattom with 13.26 km is operational from June 2017 and up to Maharajas with total 18.22 km is operational from October 2017. 2 Balance stretch of 6.94 km from Maharajas College to Petta is passing through the Central Business District (CBD) of Kochi City touching the major Railway Station Ernakulam South and Vytila, the busiest junction of Ernakulum, Kerala. ” The stretch also contains one 90 m single span balanced cantilever across Railway line at Ernakulam South, which will turn as one of the iconic heavy civil construction in the city once completed. “ Also a bridge namely Champakkara Bridge, a two level bridge across canal is being reconstructed by providing vehicular traffic through first level and Metro through second level. Rail Analysis : Please tell us about advanced Metro City in Kakanand? Mr. Thiruman Archunan: Kochi Metro Rail Limited is planning to develop around 17 acres of land into Metro City to a commercial entertainment zone, which will in turn become an international tourist destination. This will bring additional revenue to KMRL in the non-fare box model. For this project KMRL have called international consultancy service to develop concept Master Plan. Rail Analysis: Please tell us about the additional Train Sets to be added to the League of Kochi Metro? Mr. Thiruman Archunan: Kochi Metro is planning with 25 train sets (3 coaches in each set) for the entire Phase I corridor. “The contract was awarded to M/s Alstom who delivered the first set on 10th January 2016. Out of 25 sets, 23 train sets arrived as on date and 11 train sets are currently under operational at a time“. 3 Rail Analysis : What is the current Progress for Maharaja’s College – Thykoodam Stretch? What is the expected Time line for it? Mr. Thiruman Archunan: The Civil works of Maharajas to Thykoodam, 1 Km short of Petta, is progressing fast aiming to commence within few months. The last stretch of Phase I with 1 km & 1 station will be thrown to public in early 2020. Rail Analysis : Please tell us about the Water Metro Project of Kochi Metro? Mr. Thiruman Archunan: Kochi Water Metro Project aims to connect the islands in and around Kochi City through 15 routes and 78 route km. 38 boat terminals and 78 Boats with 100 pax/50 pax capacity are planned in this project with world class amenities. Kochi Water Metro Project is progressing well. All the preliminary works completed. The land acquisition is in advanced stage and tender for procurement of boats are in progress. 4 ” The construction contract for 3 terminals already awarded and balance terminals are in advanced tender stage. KMRL aims to start its first water metro service by early 2020. Animation of Kochi Water Metro Mobility Hub Rail Analysis : Please let us know about your Feedbacks about Rail Analysis Magazine shared with you recently? Mr. Thiruman Archunan: The Rail Analysis Magazine helps to keep updated on the Metro industry with latest approved as well as operational Metros. It also speaks about the latest technologies being adopted in the Industry, which is very informative. ”The article on “Potential use of artificial intelligence for Railway & Metros in India” was such an informative one in the March edition. The interview with Dr. E Sreedharan found to be the highlight of the March 2019 edition of Rail Analysis Magazine. “ May please take a note that Kochi Metro may be included in the constructional phase metro projects, since another 7 km is in construction stage. Also Phase II – Info park to Kakkanad – 11.2 km with 11 stations of Kochi Metro can be included in the planning stage Metros. Water Metro Project to start soon; Land allotted for Boat Terminal; India The Government of Kerala issuing a No Objection Certificate (NOC) to hand over the 1.23 acres of land at Vytttila Mobility Hub to Kochi Metro Rail Ltd (KMRL) for the construction a boat terminal for Water Metro Project. By Narendra Shah - 08/05/2019 5 Animation of Kochi Water Metro Mobility Hub KOCHI (Metro Rail News): The Government of Kerala issuing a No Objection Certificate (NOC) to hand over the 1.23 acres of land at Vytttila Mobility Hub to Kochi Metro Rail Ltd, (KMRL) for the construction of a boat terminal for Water Metro Project. KMRL is expected to float the tenders soon for the construction of an advanced boat terminal at Vyttila Hub. The major challenge of this terminal is the integration point of various modes of transport including road, rail and water. The state government had earlier issued the order and instructed the agency to follow the guidelines and conditions put forth by the government. According to the letter issued “KMRL is the agency which will be implementing the phase-II development of Vyttila Mobility Hub. The agency had asked for 1.23 acres of land at Vyttila Hub for the development of a boat terminal. The meeting convened by the Chief Secretary has recommended the allotment of land. The government has analyzed the proposal. After assessing that the agency has put forth the request for the land as per the DPR, it was decided to transfer the land.” The KMRL will construct the biggest terminal of the water metro project at the Vyttila Mobility Hub, which will spread over 40,000 sq ft. Vyttila Mobility Hub is the special purpose vehicle (SPV) now owns 26.53 acres of land at Vyttila. Another ferry terminal will come up at Fort Kochi which designs were selected through a competition organized by KMRL. The design submitted by a team comprising Rajiv Babu and Ameena Hamza from Chalakkudy was selected for the Vyttila Terminal while the design by Studio Homosapiens, based at Panampilly Nagar, will be used for the Fort Kochi terminal. Under the R747-crore Water Metro project, a total of 78 boats will ply on 15 routes covering a distance of 76 km through Kochi backwaters. The VHMS, with the support of KMRL, is planning a Rs 590 crore development for Vyttila Hub in the second phase. The French agency – Agence Française de Développement (AFD) will lend Rs 472 crore on a long term loan basis. The existing bus terminal at Vyttila will be converted into an advanced Mobility Hub, interconnecting various modes of transport. 6 78 boats will ply on 15 routes covering a distance of 76 km through Kochi backwaters. Jammu and Srinagar likely to get Light Metro, Work may begin by Dec 2019; India A Light Metro is an alleviated project in which an engine could be driving three coaches. The project will help in facilitating the travel of people in two big cities - Jammu and Srinagar - of the state. By Sona Sagar - 26/06/2019 Jammu & Srinagar (Metro Rail News): Jammu and Srinagar likely to get Light Rail Transit corridors. The detail projects reports (DPR) for both the place have been completed. The government has formed the Metropolitan Regional Development Authority (MRDA) to manage the much-hyped project to expedite various schemes. Rajeev Ranjan, the managing director of MRDA said that If everything goes according to plan, the work on these prestigious projects could begin by the end of this year and the report will be submitted before the Union Cabinet by the next month for the final approval. He further said, “It is not an underground project because that is not feasible in J&K.” He named the project as a light metro, which is different from the metro. It is an alleviated project in which an engine could be driving three coaches. 7 This project will require around Rs 10,000 crores for its completion. Rajeev Ranjan said that the project will help in facilitating the travel of people in two big cities of the state. The DPR for both Jammu and Srinagar project were prepared by the RITES- a consultancy service working for development of infrastructure in Urban transport. Raghav Langer Chief Executive officer of Jammu and Kashmir said,” We got the project report prepared last year and now it is being handled by a separate authority.” Srinagar corridor Details Officials said the distance between the intersections will be around one kilometre. The Srinagar corridor will have 24 stations with 12 each in the two parts of the corridor. The corridor-I will be spread over 12.5 km and will begin from HMT (Shalteng) till Indra Nagar, which is close to the Army’s 15 Corps headquarters.