KOCHI: Giving a massive push to Kochi’s urban transport infrastructure, German development bank KfW tied up with Kerala Urban Road Transport Corporation (KURTC) for providing external funding for Rs 540 crore project to launch nearly 800 green-fuel run buses as feeder service for Kochi Metro Rail.
As per the arrangement, the German bank will provide 80 per cent of the total project cost - nearly Rs 430 crore - as external funding.
“The proposal is right now under the consideration of the state Cabinet. Once the government gives its nod, it will be submitted before the Ministry of External Affairs. After getting the sanction, it will be presented before the KfW Board for final approval. However, we hope that the procurement of buses can be completed soon and the service can be launched along with the commissioning of the Kochi Metro Rail,” said KURTC special officer Bhadranandan on Wednesday.
Out of the total project cost, Rs 486 crore will be utilised for purchasing 783 econ-friendly buses such as CNG and electric buses.
“We are planning to roll out 100 electric feeder buses, and the rest are CNG run. Total 150 buses will be air-conditioned. This include 40-seater standard buses, 24-seater single-deck mini buses and 16-seater mini buses. The remaining amount will be used for infrastructure development including setting up two CNG fuel stations. The proposed fuel stations will come up at Aluva and Thevara,” he said.
The buses will be operated through the routes suggested by the general consultant which will hold the reins for formulating a comprehensive plan for transport system for the city. Already 44 routes have been identified for electric feeder buses to connect Metro stations while nearly 300 routes are planned for city services using CNG buses.
KfW project manager Julia Scholtes said the procurement of buses and related infrastructure works would be done through global bidding process. KfW is also funding the Rs 70 crore integrated water transport network project (Water Metro) of KMRL.
KfW also wants to associate with Kochi on the Centre’s 100 Smart City Mission project. Kochi is the lone city from Kerala, which was selected by the Centre. “Apart from Kochi, Bhubanewswar and Coimbatore are two other cities which we will be joining hands with for the Smart City project,” Julia said.