KOCHI: A pleasant surprise awaits passengers of the Kochi Metro, which will be commencing service very soon.Welcoming the passengers, doors of the coaches will open to the traditional Kerala music, with ‘chenda’ and ‘ilathalam’ in the background.
The Kochi Metro Rail Limited (KMRL) has shunned the conventional chime used in most of the other metros, and selected a tune composed by Bijibal that will be played for three seconds. The shift, according to KMRL officers, will complement the concept of giving ‘Malayali’ flavour to the Metro.
Maintaining the concept, the interiors and exteriors of the 12 Metro stations - from Aluva to Maharaja’s College - will flaunt themes that reflect the cultural heritage of the state. While the Western Ghats, the mountain ranges that guard the state, will be a common theme for all stations, each station will reflect variants of the main theme as per the individual characteristics.
For Aluva, the theme will be the state’s natural beauty with special focus on Western Ghats. The interiors of the station will have Periyar and the other main rivers as the main theme. The flora and fauna of Western Ghats will adorn the walls of Pulinchodu station, while Kalamassery will have the rare species found in Western Ghats.
The maritime history of Kerala will be on display at the Cusat station, while the Pathadipalam station will feature the fishes of Western Ghats.
The Edappally and Changampuzha Park stations will showcase the spices of the state and its cultural/artistic heritage, respectively. Images of the flowers of Western Ghats will be on display at the Palarivattom station, while Kerala’s sports heritage will be the theme of Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium station.
Passengers will get a feel of the monsoon season at the Kaloor station.
The MG Road station is designed on the endangered species and animals of Western Ghats, while the history and trade routes of Kochi will find a place at the Maharaja’s College station.