Team Blitz India
THIRUVANTHAPURAM: Kerala’s Capital is all set to have its metro system. Earlier, there was a plan to build a light metro system in the city but the plan was shelved around three months ago.
The new metro is based on the Comprehensive Mobility Plan (CMP) for the city, which projected a high traffic volume in the future. According to the plan, the proposed Thiruvananthapuram Metro will have two corridors covering 42.1 km, connecting the busiest parts of the city.
A preliminary report about on the detailed project report (DPR) of the metro rail project has been submitted to the Kochi Metro Rail Limited (KMRL) by the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC). The DMRC officials have also held a round of discussion with the KMRL officials, according to a press note from the KMRL.
Various suggestions given by the DMRC were mainly discussed in the meeting which will be intimated to the State government. After this, the final project report will be made available, said the press release.
A feasibility study for the second phase of development is currently underway and is expected to be completed this month. Following this, the DPR of the project would be submitted to the KMRL by the DMRC which in turn would be forwarded to the State government for approval.
The medium metro project, which is modelled after the Kochi Metro, will be implemented in the capital. Earlier, the first phase was envisaged at a distance of 27.4 km from Technocity to Pallichal via Karamana-Kaimanam.
The second phase of 14.7 km was planned from Killipalam to Kazhakoottam via Technopark, Lulu Mall, Chacka and Eanchakkal. One of the biggest features of the Thiruvananthapuram Metro is an alignment, this means the smooth connection between an underground section to the normal surface. The underground section will cover a proposed distance of 18 km from Eanchakkal to Killpalam.
“The challenge will be to have the alignment between Eacnchakkal to Killpalam. The DMRC has submitted a proposal in which this can be done smoothly,” said an official of the Thiruvananthapuram Metro. The maintenance yard will be based at Pallippuram. ‘This is so since Pallippuram happens to be at the end of the 37- station section,” said the official.
