KOCHI: The Kochi Metro Rail Ltd (KMRL) will launch a campaign for the systemic cleaning up of Vembanad Lake and make it navigable and pollution-free as part of Kochi Water Metro project. The initiative is proposed to be launched next month with an ideation workshop.
KMRL managing director Elias George on Wednesday told reporters here, after signing an MoU with the Greater Cochin Development Authority (GCDA) for developing a world-class boat jetty and marina for the Kochi Water Metro at Marine Drive, the agency will focus on cleaning up and de-littering the Vembanad Lake as well as the surrounding areas.
“As part of Water Metro project, it is only natural to initiate a project for preserving and protecting Kochi/Vembanad ecosystem. KMRL will play the role of a catalyst, by bringing specialised expertise, technical assistance and manpower support along with other stakeholders.
“Since KMRL is availing soft loans and technical assistance from European agencies like AFD, France and KfW Germany, we are also planning to approach them for continued assistance and back-up for the lake-cleaning up project,” he said.
Boat jetty and Marina
The integrated Water Metro jetty facility to be set up by the KMRL and GCDA will be of world-class standards and will provide safe and secure access to passengers and tourists without affecting free movement of pedestrians on the Marine Drive walkway. The marina when constructed will have the capacity to accommodate over 150 boats at a time.
The Government has allocated Rs 4.5 crore to the GCDA for the purpose of jetty development, which will also be eventually utilised for the development of this facility. The Agreement was signed by Konain Khan, general manager, (Operations, Maintenance and Water Transport), KMRL and M C Joseph, Secretary, GCDA .GCDA chief Mohanan said the GCDA had decided to join hands with the KMRL for joint development of the jetty for ensuring the best possible facilities to passengers. “The GCDA will provide land for the construction of the jetty, the marina will include facilities like waiting rooms, washrooms, free Wi-Fi and shopping facilities,” he said.
The facility will be the first of the 38 jetties to be built by KMRL in connection with the Rs 740 crore Water Metro.
Boats by 2018
On the Water Metro project, George said the consultants for the project have been appointed and work on project documents as well as the financial and technical specifications of key components of Water Metro project like the boats, their construction material, carrying capacity and jetty design has begun.
“After the work gets over, the procurement process is expected to start soon. A total of 78 modernised vessels will be procured under the Water Metro project by 2021.“The first batch of boats is expected to operate in the water corridor by the last quarter of 2018,” George said.
As part of Water Metro project, it is only natural to initiate a project for preserving and protecting Kochi/Vembanad ecosystem. KMRL will play the role of a catalyst, by bringing specialised expertise, technical assistance and manpower support along with other stakeholders