KOCHI: With the city gearing up to witness the commissioning of the Kochi Metro Rail by April, the Metro-related infrastructural facilities too are getting ready in the background. The civil works up to Palarivattom, including that of the stations, are progressing at a rapid pace. The installation of ticket vending machines too have begun at the stations.
The Metro Rail authorities are taking every possible step to stick to the present deadline.
The Delhi Metro Rail Corporation officials said that the entire civil works between Aluva and Palarivattom will be completed by March. The KMRL authorities will hold discussions with the Chief Minister before finalising the commissioning of the first phase.
The Chief Minister, at a recent review meeting, had asked the Metro officials to look into the possibilities of commissioning the first phase up to Maharaja’s College.
Travel and shop
Smart cards have been developed with the aim of providing an open loop card payment system that would enable multi-model transport ticketing. Under this, commuters will be able to travel on various modes of transport using a single ticket will be launched by March. The advanced card, which will look like an ATM card, can be swiped at the machines installed at the Metro Rail stations to begin the journey on Kochi Metro.
The same card can be used to travel on other modes of transport in the city, that is the feeder services for the Metro like boats and buses. It can be used for shopping purpose too. According to an official release issued by Kochi Metro Rail, the ‘Common Smart Card Ticketing Solution’ is a key component of the Unified Metropolitan Transport Authority (UMTA) proposed for Kochi.
“The Smart Card can be used for all payment applications, including transport, shopping and all other payment needs. The EMV/RuPay-based smart card has been identified as the form factor for the ticketing systems. These smart cards could be used on the ticketing terminals as well,” it added.
The Smart Card can be linked with the bank account of the passenger. “Even if the account holder has an account with private/public sector banks, it can be linked with the Smart Card. Any amount can be added /transferred to the card. The introduction of click and collect facility by linking it with the Smart Card is also under consideration. This facility will enable a passenger to order commodities while travelling in Kochi metro and collect the good from a particular Metro rail station. The same card can also be used for the payment of utility bills. The discussions in this regard are progressing,” according to metro rail authorities.