KOCHI:The ‘Free Ride Day’ observed on Tuesday as part of the anniversary of Kochi Metro's commercial operations, witnessed a heavy rush of passengers to experience the splendour of Metro journey. Till 7 pm, 1,04,022 people travelled in the Metro system and the KMRL authorities said the figures are likely to cross more than 1.3 lakh by 10 pm when the services for the day will end.
The Link Bridge on the other side of Aluva Metro station was opened for public on Tuesday at 2.30 pm without any special events. According to the KMRL officers, the new link bridge will help people coming from the market side access the Metro station easily.After this, the students of SCMS Kalamassery and Al-Ameen College, Edathala, presented various cultural programs at Aluva station.
The winners of the lucky draw contest organised as part of the anniversary celebrations were also announced on Tuesday.The winners are: Sunny, Bijesh, Abdussalam P, Umesh U from Palakkad, Sahir and Arya M C. ‘Shrestasanchaari Puraskaaram’ for using public transport for highest amount by using Kochi 1 card till date (past one year) was awarded to Abhilash V Nath, Naveena Antony and Nubaj C R.
“We want to celebrate the successful completion of the one year of our commercial operations with the public as it is the people's Metro. We are really overwhelmed with this reaction on the free ride day,” said Kochi Metro Rail Limited (KMRL) managing director APM Muhammed Hanish.
The KMRL will also roll out Kochi Metro 365 - a first of its kind coffee table book connecting the Metro and the human moments of the past 365 days. Vice President of India Venkaiah Naidu will release the book in the coming days. “This month will also be the ideal time to take Kochi 1 card for those who haven’t got it yet. KMRL and Axis Bank have jointly decided to waive off the initial charges for taking the card. There will be no issuance fee for taking the card till June 30. The issuance fee of `150 and an annual fee of `75 will be waived during this period,” said KMRL authorities.