Kochi Metro: Station service trials to begin next week

Ahead of launching Kochi Metro’s commercial operations, the Kochi Metro Rail Ltd (KMRL) will conduct the station service trials next week.
The work on vertical garden going on on the Cusat Metro station pillars | Sarath P
The work on vertical garden going on on the Cusat Metro station pillars | Sarath P

KOCHI: Ahead of launching Kochi Metro’s commercial operations, the Kochi Metro Rail Ltd (KMRL) will conduct the station service trials next week.


The trials will be similar to a mock drill, where the KMRL staff will travel in trains as normal passengers by undertaking all routine practices, including buying tickets, listening to announcements, boarding train and alighting at stations.


Apart from looking into the technical aspects, the trials are mainly aimed at checking the efficiency of passenger facilities, escalators and other onboard services. The train will take around 25 minutes to reach Palarivattom from the Aluva station.

‘Platinum’ rating for stations
The 16 elevated stations between Aluva and Maharaja’s College in the metro corridor were on Tuesday awarded ‘platinum’ rating under the Elevated Stations Category by the Indian Green Building Council (IGBC).

The elevated stations include Aluva, Pulinchodu, Companypady, Ambattukavu, Muttom, Kalamassery, Cochin University, Pathadipalam, Edappally, Changampuzha Park, Palarivattom, JLN Stadium, Kaloor, Lissie, MG Road and Maharaja’s College. “The certificate was given to KMRL taking into account the efficiency of various facilities at the 16 elevated stations in Phase I.

Various categories, including site selection and planning, water efficiency, energy efficiency, material conservation, indoor environmental quality, innovation in design and construction, were considered while awarding the ‘platinum’ rating. The facilities were monitored and checked by the authority of IGBC,” said the KMRL spokesperson.

Green protocol
The IGBC launched the Green Mass Rapid Transit System (MRTS) Version 1.0 rating system to encourage green concepts in the design, construction and operation of all new rail-based MRTS projects. The rating system helps address national priorities like conservation of natural resources, demand of side energy and water efficiency, adoption of renewable energy, management of waste and commuter health and comfort.


Vertical gardens 
As part of green initiatives, KMRL will set up vertical gardens on every sixth pillar of the metro rail corridor. The vertical gardens are being set up as an innovative project under the Swachh Bharath Mission. 

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