Kochi (Cochin), a city in southwest India’s coastal state Kerala, is now on its way to be a world-class city having world-class transportation facility, told the state Chief Secretary – Tom Jose. Recently under the common mobility card system the city’s Kochi 1 Metro smartcard has been integrated to its private bus service as well.
Kochi 1 Metro Smartcard was launched by Kochi Metro Rail Ltd (KMRL) for the metro commuters in the year 2017. From last week onwards, the card can also be used to travel in private buses too. To start with, the facility is avail in 50 private buses plying within city limits, then the services is to be extended to about 120 buses in a few weeks and gradually within a year, it will be expanded to all 1,000 buses.
A P M Mohammed Hanish, Managing Director, KMRL, said the integration of Smartcard in private buses is key for KMRL. According to him, over 25,000 smartcards have been issued till now.
This common mobility card system is a joint venture by Kochi Metro Rail Limited (KMRL) and Axis Bank to integrate payments for all modes of public transport on a single card.
Not only this, but in this direction Kochi has numerous plans in progress. Indicating towards the fact, the Chief Secretary said, ‘This in fact a great news to hear that Kochi is the first city in India to obtain such a smartcard facility. Similarly the facility is going to extend to the autorickshaws and with the launch of Water Metro by the KMRL soon, to the boat services as well.’
He further addedKerala government is now in an expedious mode to revive the six canals by which the city of Kochi is interconnected and make them navigable. So far now these six canals are being used as wastebins by the residents.
Again Mr. Tom Jose has informed that a Rs 1,000-crore has been proposed for the cleaning and navigating process of these canals ; plus a fund of `500 crore will be set aside to rehabilitate them. He included that the day will not be far away when we will see boats plying through these canals of Kochi.
On the context of the renovation of the canals, the Chief Secretary also reported about another project that is under consideration, is the designing of an entertainment park at Kakkanad. He worded, “The absence of hangout places where people can spend time, is another major issue with the cities of Kerala, including Kochi. We are planning to provide IMAX, virtual reality and zero-gravity facilities which can be enjoyed by the people as well as the visitors of Kochi.”
The Transport’s Principal Secretary of Kerala, Mr.K R Jyothilal said, “It is a proud moment for Kerala as the KMRL launched this smartcard which can be used in both metro and private buses. We should take initiative in campaigning the card abroad so that foreign tourists while on their visits, can also make use it for their benefits, including travel, lodging and hotel bills. Not only Kochi, but the smartcard service should be expanded to entire Kerala and we should have ‘One state, One card’ service.”
This common mobility card system, offering an integrated mode of transportation, will not only facilitate its users but it will take the state’s business capital in the league of London, Sydney and Singapore.
