Kochi Metro Rail Ltd should develop a transport network with the assistance of Greater Cochin Development Authority as a part of city planning, Dr Sudhir Krishna, Secretary, Ministry of Urban Development, has suggested.
Besides studying the economic impact of the transportation network, he said, both the organisations should work out on a master plan based on this study.
He also stressed on the importance of a consistent and permanent utility network development in the city and asked GCDA to notify it so that all further development can be planned without affecting it.
Meet on Kochi
Dr Krishna was addressing a meeting of key professionals involved in the development of Kochi City. The meeting was organised by Kochi Metro Rail Ltd.
“The Metro is a transport system which gives the same priority to everyone irrespective of their class, position in life or sex. Whoever comes first, gets a chance to sit and whoever comes late has to wait,” Dr Krishna said.
The Metro is considered to be the safest mode of transport for women and children across the world, he added.
He emphasised the importance of the optimisation of land usage in and around the city. The depot area of Metro has to be developed commercially to get maximum returns from it.
Dr Krishna also reminded that the space just outside the metro stations should not be left as no man's land and need to be developed by KMRL in consultation with Kochi Corporation.
Synchronisation
The demand for connecting the different modes of transport was raised in the meeting and many of the members suggested that further development of Metro in Kochi should be done considering the availability of water transport facilities too.
Dr Krishna pointed out that the Urban Development Ministry is always promoting the integration of different modes of transport systems. But the environmental issues are to be addressed when considering other routes.
He suggested that a common mobility card can be used to access all these facilities. He also expressed satisfaction over the planning and preparations happening in the city to welcome Kochi Metro, which is the most awaited mass rapid transport system of Kochi.