Hello all,

Thought of starting a new thread to update on City transportation in Kochi. I'll post details on KSRTC services in the city in the first post.

Currently KSRTC operates three classes of city buses: AC Low Floor (Volvo), Non-AC Low Floor (Ashok Leyland), and Thirukochi (regular non-AC buses).

AC Low Floor buses:
https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-NI-W3dSvIdg/TgNAwxBye9I/AAAAAAAAt_Q/vH_cwT5pfFQ/s400/IMG_0009.jpg

The minimum fare in these buses is Rs. 10 (for first 5 kms), then Rs. 1.50 per kms. There are 41 such buses in the City currently, of which 38 are running. Two more buses will start operating very soon (Route formalities are complete).

The routes are:
Fort Kochi-Airport (Via Thoppumpady, Kundannoor, Vyttila, Bypass, Aluva bypass) - 4 buses
Fort Kochi-Airport (Via Thoppumpady, MG Road, Kaloor, Aluva bypass) - 1 bus
Aroor - Ankamaly (Via Vyttila, Bypass, Aluva Bypass) - 5 buses
Aroor - Ankamaly (Via Thoppumpady, MG Road) - 2 buses
Fort Kochi - Infopark/Aluva (Via MG Road, Kaloor) - 2 buses
Fort Kochi - Aluva - Angamaly (Via MG Road, Kaloor) - 1 bus
Thevara/W.Island - Infopark/Aluva (Via MG Road, Kaloor) - 2 buses
Poothotta - Aluva (Via Menaka, Kaloor) - 2 buses
Ernakulam Jetty - Perumbavoor (Via Aluva) - 2 buses
Ernakulam - Moovattupuzha - 4 buses
Ernakulam - Kothamangalam - 2 buses
Ernakulam Jetty - Kothamangalam - 1 bus
Ernakulam - Koothattukulam - 1 bus
Parur - Perumbavoor (Via Aluva) - 2 buses
Mattanchery - Perumbavoor (Via MG Road, Aluva) - 1 bus
W.Island/Thevara - Perumbavoor (Via MG Road, Aluva, S.Vazhakkulam) - 1 bus
Vyttila-Vyttila Circular - 2 buses
Thevara - Aluva/Ankamaly (Via Container Road) - 2 buses
Kalady - Airport - Fort Kochi - 1 bus
Ankamaly - Aluva - Chottanikkara (Via Seaport-Airport Road) - 2 buses (will start operating soon)

Timetable of all these buses can be seen on my website, here (https://sites.google.com/site/kochivolvos/home).

Non-AC Low Floor buses:
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-uUGSdF7VQn8/Tf4SYrvS3KI/AAAAAAAAtqw/FrplEsN3sq0/s400/IMG_1986.jpg

The minimum fare for these buses are Rs. 5 (for the first 2.5 kms) and then 75 paise per km. There are 54 such buses today in Kochi. (The number is slightly inaccurate, since exact figures are not known yet).

These buses are running on:
Aluva - Aroor Temple (Via Vyttila bypass)
Aluva - Chottanikkara (Via Menaka, Vyttila, Tripunithura)
Aluva - Tripunithura (Via Kakkanad)
Aluva - Parur (Via UC College)
Ankamaly - Ernakulam Jetty (Via Aluva, Kaloor, Menaka)
Ankamaly - Mulanthuruthy (via Aluva, Edappally, Bypass)
Perumbavoor - Ernakulam Jetty (via Aluva, Kaloor, Menaka)
Muvattupuzha - Fort Kochi
There are more routes, details of which are not entirely available.

Thirukochi buses:
https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-MHFIu0A_PNo/TEZ5F8cQWuI/AAAAAAAAXCw/ja9JyGWQv0M/s400/P1420544.jpg
https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-KyIxbfKgy3c/TU7Eg7fmbiI/AAAAAAAAjzY/cUYKwbq6VQs/s400/IMG_0698.jpg

These buses charge Rs. 4 for the first stage (2.5 kms) and then 54 paise per km. There are around 85 such buses in Kochi, based at Ernakulam, Aluva, Ankamaly, Piravom, Parur and Kodungallur.

The routes these buses operate are:
Aroor Temple-Aluva Via Menaka, Thoppumpady, Edakochi
Aroor Temple-Aluva Via Padma, Thoppumpady, Edakochi
Fort Kochi-Aluva Via Padma, Thoppumpady
Fort Kochi-Aluva Via Menaka, Thoppumpady
Poothotta-Aluva Via Padma, Vyttila, Trippunithura
Poothotta-Aluva Via Menaka, Vyttila, Trippunithura
Chottanikkara-Aluva Via Menaka, Vyttila, Trippunithura, Thiruvankulam
Chottanikkara-Aluva Via Padma, Vyttila, Trippunithura, Thiruvankulam
Pookkattupady-Thevara Via Menaka, Edappally, Thrikkakara
Kumbalanghi-Kakkanad Via Menaka, Thoppumpady, Perumbadappu
Mattanchery-Kakkanad/Thuthiyur Via Menaka, Thoppumpady, Kaloor
Thevara-Cheranellore Via Menaka, Edappally
Thevara-CUSAT Via Menaka
Tripunithura-Cheranellore Via Menaka, Chittoor
Amrita Hospital-Kannammaly Via Menaka, Thoppumpady, Edappally, Kaloor
Thevara-Co.op Medical College Via Menaka, Edappally, Kalamassery, HMT Jn
Kakkanad-Panangad Via Padma, Kaloor, Vyttila, Kundanoor
W.Island-Kakkanad Via Menaka, Naval Base, Kaloor
W.Island-Kakkanad Via Padma, Naval Base, Kaloor
Tripunithura-Tripunithura Via Menaka, Eroor, Vennala, Kaloor, Vyttila
Pookkattupady-Tripunithura Via Menaka, Kaloor, Vyttila
Ponekkara-Tripunithura Via Menaka, Kaloor, Vyttila
Aluva-Thevara via Kadungallur, Moopathadam, Edappally
Chathamma – Kothad Ferry
Cheppanam – Kothad Ferry
Thevara Ferry – Cheranellore Via Menaka, Elamakkara, Punnakkal, Edappally
Thoppumpady – Chottanikkara Via Kundannoor, Maradu, Pettah
Thevara – Aluva/Ankamaly Via Menaka, Container Road, Kalamassery
Aluva to Njarakkal, Ernakulam Jetty and Ernakulam (All services via NAD, Kalamassery, Kaloor).
Cherai to Kumbalanghi (Via Gosree, Menaka, Thoppumpady), Kakkanad (Via Gosree, High Court, Kaloor), Eramallur (Via Gosree, Menaka, Vyttila), Ernakulam (Via Gosree) and Kakkanad SEZ (Via Gosree, High Court, Kaloor, Kakkanad).
Chottanikkara to Ernakulam.
Edakochi to Parur.
Eramallur to Parur (Via Toppumpady, Gosree, as well as Via Vyttila, Gosree).
Ernakulam Jetty to Parur (Via Gosree, Cherai).
Fort Kochi to Cherai (Via Thoppumpady, Menaka, Gosree) and Parur (Via Toppumpady, Menaka, Cherai).
Kakkanad to Cherai.
Kakkanad SEZ to Parur.
Kodungallur to Kakkanad SEZ (Via Gosree, Kaloor), Kakkanad (Via Gosree, Kaloor), Edakochi (Via Gosree, Menaka) and Thevara (Via Gosree).
Kollamkudimugal to Cherai (Via Kaloor, Gosree).
Munambam to Ernakulam Jetty (Via Gosree).
Njarakkal to Kumbalanghi, Ernakulam and Aluva (Via Gosree, Kaloor, NAD).
Parur to Thevara Ferry, Chottanikkara (Via Tripunithura, and Via Kureekad), Eramallur (Via Gosree, Vyttila, and Via Gosree, Thoppumpady), Ernakulam Jetty (Via Gosree), Kakkanad (Via Gosree), Karimughal (Via Gosree, Tripunithura), Munambam, Thevara (Via Gosree), Thevera Ferry (Via Gosree) and Tripunithura (Via Gosree, Vyttila).
Thevara to Njarakkal.
Thevera Ferry to Cherai, and Njarakkal.
Varapuzha to Thevara Ferry (Via Edappally, Kaloor and Menaka)

Timings of these buses are very sketchy. They can be made available on request though. These buses do not adhere to their traffic schedules due to traffic issues.

Double Decker bus:
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-JTacXwLajq8/TgH8q3sqzXI/AAAAAAAAt4I/q9uMLmxaJsE/s400/IMG_2026.jpg

There is only one such bus. They charge ordinary fares. The bus is based at Ankamaly, and works Ankamaly-Vyttila (Via Aluva bypass, Edappally bypass).

Great Job!! Binai! You ROCK!! :cheers1::cheers1::cheers1:

^^+1

None better to start the thread! Keep it coming :cheers:

Great job Binai..!

The Cities Development Initiatives for Asia (CDIA) officials meet Kochi Mayor Tony Chammany, Deputy Mayor Bhadra and other officials to discuss on Water Metro project. The Cochin Corporation has appointed Manila based CDIA as consultants for the project and linking with other water transport options. A briefing of their studies was presented before Corporation.

The corporation estimates for a Rs 220 crore project and is planned to implement with several lines, to reduce traffic congestion on road and promote public transportation. A separte company will be formed to manage Water Metro.:banana::banana::banana:

http://www.facebook.com/notes/tony-chammany/water-transport-in-kochi/227276817303441

KITCO chosen for detailed project report
KOCHI: The Kochi Corporation Council has decided to entrust the Kerala Industrial and Technical Consultancy Organisation Ltd (KITCO) with the preparation of the detailed project report (DPR) for the modernisation of the water transport sector in Kochi.
The decision was approved by the special Council that met on Thursday to discuss the pre-feasibilty report prepared by Cities Development Initiative for Asia (CDIA) on the steps required to improve water transport in Kochi. Before the approval, the Council hall also witnessed several heated debates between the opposition and ruling front councillors.
As per the CDIA report, the formation of an Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) is important for controlling the ferry operation in the city.
Supporting the proposal, Mayor Tony Chammany said that the Corporation’s annual budget for 2011-12 has also proposed the formation of a company on the lines of the Cochin International Airport Ltd (CIAL) for managing the ferry operations in the city.
It was ruling front councillor N Venugopal who opposed the decision first and said that the company should be formed only after detailed discussions.
“The Corporation had failed earlier in constituting an SPV for managing the operations of the Volvo buses introduced under JNNURM. It is necessary to avoid similar situations,” Venugopal said. Meanwhile, opposition councillor M Anilkumar said that the pre-feasibility report presented by CDIA lacked vision and clarity.
“Accepting this report without a close analysis and proper discussion is not acceptable to the opposition,” he said.
This led to heated arguments among the councillors. However, the Mayor later announced that the civic body would go ahead with the proposal submitted by CDIA for the betterment of ferry services.
“KITCO will prepare the DPR and based on further discussions, the formation of the company will be finalised,” he said.

Indian Express (http://expressbuzz.com/cities/kochi/kitco-chosen-for-detailed-project-report/289714.html)

Plans afoot to uplift transport
KOCHI: In order to uplift the existing Urban Transport sector of Kochi and to develop it into the set standards of an advanced metro, the Cities Development Initiative for Asia (CDIA) has suggested an ambitious plan at an estimate of Rs 644 crore for the overall development of the public transport system of the city. The pre-feasibility study report in this regard prepared by international agency, Global Works, was presented at the Kochi Corporation Council Hall on Thursday.
Detailing the report, CDIA Senior Programme Specialist in India Balakrishnan Elangovan said the pre-feasibilty study lays stress on the development of four sectors — ferry services, enhanced bus services, pedestrian precincts and rail-road and pedestrian over bridges.
Ferry service
For the betterment of ferry services, the pre-feasiblity report suggests increase in frequency of existing services and number of vessels through five ferry service routes. The routes are Vypeen-Fort Kochi, Mattanchery-Ernakulam High Court, Edakochi- Thevara, Panchayat Terminal-High Court and Kumabalam-Chittoor. The study also recommends the introduction of advanced new generation vessels and the upgradation of 15 existing boat jetties. Better intermodal facilities— easy access to bus and other transport system for commuters to continue their journey have been recommended in Fort Kochi, Mattanchery and Vypeen areas.
Bus services
The second project package at an estimated cost of Rs 100 crore mainly aims at enhancing bus services. The report suggests the improvement of 35 km of the new priority bus lanes, seven new park and ride facilities and upgradation of existing 26 bus shelters.
It also suggests new foot overbridges in Kacherippady and Kaloor.
Proper bus-lane marking, road signage and zebra crossing have also been suggested.
Pedestrian precincts
The report suggests five pedestrian precincts where vehicular traffic will be totally banned, 16 off-street parking facilities, modifying eight existing streets as one-way and proper road signs and marking. The estimated cost is Rs 142 crore.
Pedestrian overbridges.
The CDIA report also proposes the construction of 14 pedestrian overbridges at various locations.
According to the report, the civic body can look into the possibilities of strengthening the existing agencies of forming a Special Purpose vehicle (SPV) with key stake holders in the short term for the implementation of the projects. In the long term, the Corporation can think of establishing an autonomous transport authority for managing the transport sector. A Public-Private- Participation (PPP) model is also feasible.

Indian Express (http://expressbuzz.com/cities/kochi/plans-afoot-to-uplift-transport/289702.html)

Plans afoot to uplift transport

CDIA-Kochi unit has a couple of British expats living in Fort Kochi working for welfare of Kochi. I must say, we must hear their voices in resolving the woes. 2 years back, I have met on Brit called Thomas at Fort Kochi, who was actively campaigning for increased Ferry services between Fort Kochi and Ekm. The typical one hour long congestion for just 3 kms near Pallimukku-Atlantis-Thevera-Venduthurthy Bridge at peak hours, can be completely done away, if we can introduce more ferries between 4 points in Kochi Island and Ernakulam

CDIA was eariler campaigning for converting MG Road completely into pedestrian zone typical to any international city shopping areas and introducing a tram from Venduruthy to Madhava Pharmacy. I don't know whether its practical or not. But since the report says 5 zones for Pedestrian traffic, I guess they still moot the idea.

One major initiative which our govt should do is to integrate ferry, bus, metro and autos into a common City transport company with integrated City travel cards and common transport policy.

One advantage I see with price rise in petrol is that it helps to increase more public transport opportunities. I wish an international agency like CDIA who has stronger commitments with Kochi, will surely bring a major change in our urban transportation.

X posting here:

Okay, here is the CDIA Report in its entirety (http://citiesdevelopmentinitiative.org/cdia/wp-content/uploads/gravity_forms/24/2011/03/Executive-Summary-Cochin-Pre-Feasibility-Study-Ferry-System.pdf)

I am pasting some highlights

Technical Description and Aspects
The ferry services investment proposal comprises ferry and terminal upgrades for five of Cochin‟s island ferry routes. These routes have been selected due to their significant passenger demand potential, and their overall strategic importance in promoting transport system integration. The five route upgrades include a total of 15 new or improved ferry terminal facilities, and the provision of twelve purpose-built, low wash type catamaran passenger vessels, which are fast, versatile and efficient.

The upgraded terminals will include, (i) floating pontoons with islands, (ii) covered walkways from the vessels to the waiting areas, (iii) either terminal waiting areas or covered „at-shore‟ pontoon waiting areas, (iv) pedestrian ramps, and (v) site landscaping and cosmetic improvements. The terminal facilities will be modern and efficient, yet low cost, and provide completely covered walkways to the vessels. The floating pontoons are the basis for the design of all terminals.
http://img221.imageshack.us/img221/849/pontoonsu.jpg

The proposed vessels are low wash type catamarans referred to as Kochi Cats. These purpose built vessels will include the following technical specifications: (i) capacity – 163 passengers, (ii) length, beam and draft are 25.5, 7.6 and 1.42 metres respectively; (iii) clearance – 8 metres;(iv) displacement - 35 tonnes; (v) operating speed – normal at 18 knots, maximum at 25 knots; (vi) hull – aluminium; (vii) deck and upper section – fibreglass. Due to their speed and carrying capacity, and to the efficiency of the pontoon loading/unloading systems, the Kochi Cats will provide a dramatically improved ferry service in terms of safety, comfort, speed and reliability. The Kochi Cats are illustrated as follows.

http://img198.imageshack.us/img198/3307/kochicat.jpg


Proposed routes and terminal locations are:

http://img98.imageshack.us/img98/167/ferryb.jpg

What SHOULD be done is to raze the sliver of land between MG Road and the railway line down, and to build a brand new downtown there, with the MG Road serving as a boulevard. Property owners should be given share of the development, and renters should be given assured participation.

Once that is done, do the same thing to the sliver of land between MG Road and TD Road.

What SHOULD be done is to raze the sliver of land between MG Road and the railway line down, and to build a brand new downtown there, with the MG Road serving as a boulevard. Property owners should be given share of the development, and renters should be given assured participation.

Once that is done, do the same thing to the sliver of land between MG Road and TD Road.

It may not be possible at any level, because of high costs of land and strong public opposition. The possibility is to ensure slow and steady approach in shifting CBD/DOWNTOWN from MG road to Byepass and ensure that MG Road gets converted into a fully shopping district like Nehru place or Connaught place in New Delhi. Its pretty possible to make it fully pediestrian zone with road side cafes, rest areas and a tram/metro line connecting all the 3 km stretch, making one of the India's largest hi-street.

In long run, I believe, even we must consider Shipyard to move out of its current location, to a new place, probably in Vypeen.. A very large area, can be converted into Central park, which surely sustains the growth of Kochi.

I believe in long run, a sea-side Corniche road can be considered from Aroor to Vaduthala to Amrita Hospital, build next to current Ernakulam shoreline, which allows a second byepass.

For current level, MG Road must be blocked heavy vehicles, particularly Buses. Rather bus must move from Banerjee road to Menaka, enter into foreshore road and move to shipyard road untill entering into Atlantis. The shipyard road must be made ONLY BUS ROUTE.

Likewise bus traffic bound to Tripunithara, must not take diversion from GH, rather move in same route, untill Church Landing, where they can directly move to South Overbridge, by which blocks in Chitoor road can be completely avoided.

Other immediate plan is developing Pipeline road, as with commission of Salim Rajan Flyover, every traffic from city moving to Aluva, use this alternate road than traditional NH 47.

Panampally-Maradu highway will also reduce burden on South.....

I have already send some of the plans/ideas to Mayor and RBDCK Chairperson Beena... Hopefully if some of the plans realize, Kochi will emerge one of the most beautiful city in India

Two New Volvo services were launched today.They are:
1. Ankamaly-Chottanikkara (via Aluva BS, Seaport-Airport Road)
2. Ankamaly-Chottanikkara (Via Aluva BS, Edappally Bypass, Vyttila, Tripunithura).

Timings will be made available soon.

^^

Thanks Binai for the update!

^^

Thanks Binai for the update!

Good update. i have heard 2 additional Junkars have been operational for services between Fort-Kochi Vypeen routes. Can anyone confirm it?:cheers:

Two New Volvo services were launched today.They are:
1. Ankamaly-Chottanikkara (via Aluva BS, Seaport-Airport Road)
2. Ankamaly-Chottanikkara (Via Aluva BS, Edappally Bypass, Vyttila, Tripunithura).

Timings will be made available soon.

Today I boarded in the 1st one. From Aluva to Kakkanad. Lots of passengers from bust tops are asking whether it will go Thripunithura. A Volvo in Aluva –Kakkanad- Thripunithura will definitely attract good patronage.

Today I boarded in the 1st one. From Aluva to Kakkanad. Lots of passengers from bust tops are asking whether it will go Thripunithura. A Volvo in Aluva –Kakkanad- Thripunithura will definitely attract good patronage.

You are right. The authorities are "partially aware" of the same. This is why Ankamaly-Kakkanad-Chottanikara Volvo touches Aluva bus station, and does not go through the bypass.

However, I'll surely convey your suggestion to the authorities concerned at Ernakulam.

The Schedules of the new buses are as follows:
Bus 1:
Ernakulam 6:20 – Aluva 7:10 (Via Vyttila)
Aluva 7:25 – Chottanikara 8:35 (Via Vyttila bypass)
Chottanikara 9:00 – Ankamaly 10:50 (Via Vyttila, Aluva bypass)
Ankamaly 11:00 – Chottanikara 12:50 (Via Aluva BS, Vyttila bypass)
Chottanikara 13:20 – Ankamaly 15:10 (Via Vyttila, Aluva bypass)
Ankamaly 15:30 – Chottanikara 17:20 (Via Aluva BS, Vyttila bypass)
Chottanikara 17:25 – Aluva 18:50 (Via Vyttila bypass)
Aluva 19:20 – Ernakulam 20:10

Bus 2:
Ernakulam 7:30 – Chottanikara 8:00 (Via Vyttila, Tripunithura)
Chottanikara 8:20 – Ankamaly 10:05 (Via Kakkanad, Aluva bypass)
Ankamaly 10:30 – Chottanikara 12:15 (Via Aluva BS, Kakkanad)
Chottanikara 12:30 – Ankamaly 14:15 (Via Kakkanad, Aluva bypass)
Ankamaly 14:45 – Chottanikara 16:30 (Via Aluva BS, Kakkanad)
Chottanikara 17:00 – Ankamaly 18:45 (Via Kakkanad, Aluva bypass)
Ankamaly 19:00 – Chottanikara 20:45 (Via Aluva BS, Kakkanad)
Chottanikara 21:00 – Ernakulam 21:30 (Via Tripunithura, Vyttila)

Schedules of all Volvo buses in Kochi (updated as of today) can be seen here (https://sites.google.com/site/kochivolvos/).

The Government said, the Infopark-Ernakulam road will be one of the main priorities of this govt. The Government will urgently work on widening of Thamman-Pullepady road and connect it to Airport-Seaport road via Vennala, Thutiyoor This was said by E.Babu, Minister for Ports and Excise while opening of new Thrikkakara Municipal office.

http://www.manoramaonline.com/cgi-bin/MMOnline.dll/portal/localContentView.do?district=Cochin&contentId=9620843&programId=1079897613&tabId=16&BV_ID=@@@

^^Darn well it is time.

The existing passage, the Kakkanad-Palarivattom road, is choke full. It has often more traffic than the Bypass itself. I deliberately make my commute late to avoid the rush.

Even buying fish&vegetables need to be timed, because it is impossible to CROSS the road at the commute hours.

Edapally ROB set to open in September!

oiWxjVwA3vg

Anyway this is a great job by the one who started this thread. In my opinion the Non-AC Low Floor (Ashok Leyland) in Cochin is totally a money wasting thing, due to bad condition of these buses, low speed and extra prices..The non AC low floor buses are not having any major differences when compared with the services of the normal KSRTC buses, expect for the high ticket rates they are asking for..

Hope atleast this government would do something to widen Kochi's roads.

Some Bus News:

New services between Ernakulam and Paravur via Container Road (The near Vallarpadam-Kalamassery road) has been launched. One Non-AC Low Floor and one Venad bus will run in this route initially.

The Venad bus will leave from Parur at 7:00 AM, reaching Ernakulam Jetty at 8:00 AM. In the return direction, the bus will leave Ernakulam at 8:30, and will go upto Guruvayur.

The Non-AC bus runs between Parur and Thevara via Container road.

Anyway this is a great job by the one who started this thread. In my opinion the Non-AC Low Floor (Ashok Leyland) in Cochin is totally a money wasting thing, due to bad condition of these buses, low speed and extra prices..The non AC low floor buses are not having any major differences when compared with the services of the normal KSRTC buses, expect for the high ticket rates they are asking for..

True!!! In my opinion, the entire Non-A/c low floor must be declared as Thiru-kochi services. There is no point in using those big old design buses. The SLF is actually a modern design and quite airy. Since now KSRTC now is planning to buy buses from outside, the cost advantage is not there, in using the typical old designed buses.

I wonder why they haven't introduced full-wrap body ads to garner more revenues. That would justify lowering rates.

In my opinion the Non-AC Low Floor (Ashok Leyland) in Cochin is totally a money wasting thing, due to bad condition of these buses, low speed and extra prices..

To be very honest, the Non-AC LF Buses are faster than other KSRTC buses. However, drivers go slow in the hope of finding passengers. On routes like Aluva-Parur, people have accepted these services and there is considerable rush even during non-peak hours for these buses.

Only the first lot of these buses (9 buses) are in very bad condition. Other buses are in decent condition - except for buses operated by Aluva depot. The fare is certainly too high. But, I hope that they do not increase fares for these buses when they announce a ticket price hike next month (which is imminent).

True!!! In my opinion, the entire Non-A/c low floor must be declared as Thiru-kochi services. There is no point in using those big old design buses. The SLF is actually a modern design and quite airy.

Very true - Thirukochi buses are too old modeled. They should've gone for specialised city buses - with wider doors and better route displays. KSRTC might not be willing to charge Thirukochi fares in these SLF buses, since they are expensive to operate. They have lower fuel efficiency (something very common with rear engine buses), and hence higher operating costs. However, they should've considered charging only "City Fast" fare (which is same as Fast Passenger fares)


I wonder why they haven't introduced full-wrap body ads to garner more revenues. That would justify lowering rates.

Full-body wrap would look ugly in non-ac buses. The advertiser cannot effectively use the space around the windows, and hence I am not sure if anybody would be willing to spend so much money on it. However, I hear that there are plans to open up JNNURM Volvos for advertisement - window panels and space behind seats would be up for grabs.

http://ibnlive.in.com/news/chartered-flights-to-take-to-kerala-skies-soon/165324-60-122.html

http://www.thehindu.com/multimedia/dynamic/00684/ki06hub_cl_eps_684633f.jpg

The Vytilla mobility hub is set to come alive once again, with buses plying in more routes scheduled to touch the bus terminal here from July 20.

Currently, the hub wears an almost deserted look since only a few KSRTC buses plying from the city to Muvattupuzha call at the terminal. “Initially, we plan to shift three bus stops from Vytilla Junction to the terminal, in order to decongest the junction. The forthcoming Bus Day on July 20 will be observed with the hub as the base,” said the Ernakulam RTO T.J. Thomas.

On the day, buses plying from the city to Tripunithura and back too would call at the bus terminal. Modifications in the traffic flow would be chalked out based on the trial run conducted on Bus Day. If all goes off well, buses to and from Alappuzha too would ply through the terminal. With only phase one of the hub over and the main bus terminal and parking amenities for private vehicles planned only in phase two, the day is still far off when KSRTC and private buses would operate from the hub.

The Rs 15-crore phase one has 65 bus-parking bays, passenger waiting sheds and toilets. Interlocked tiles too were laid between the entry from Kaniampuzha Road and the exit on the Vytilla-Tripunithura Road. The hub for inter-modal (road, waterway, metro and railway) hub is expected to cost Rs 376 crore when the project's final phase is over.

The primary bottleneck for buses to begin service from here is the lack of flyover(s) at the already-congested Vytilla Junction. The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) is yet to prepare a detailed project report on the flyovers proposed many years ago at Vytilla, Edapally, Palarivattom and Kundanoor. The consultants for the mobility hub project, KITCO had proposed building two flyovers at Vytilla over a year ago, but the NHAI opposed it.

A KITCO official said that the police would have to remove encroachers, illegal autorickshaw stands and vendors from Vytilla, to prevent obstruction to traffic flow when more buses call at the Vytilla terminal. The NHAI would have to build a new underpass beneath the Vytilla railway overbridge, so that vehicles can move in either direction.

Civic agencies would have to widen the narrow entrance of the road that begins from the temple on the Vytilla-Palarivattom Road to the existing underpass.

Though funds had been earmarked in the State budget for a ring road around Vytilla, work has not begun.

യു.ഡി.എഫ്. സര്*ക്കാരിന്റെ 100 ദിന പരിപാടിയുടെ ഭാഗമായി പെരുമ്പാവൂര്* ഡിപ്പോയിലേക്ക് നാല് കെ.എസ്.ആര്*.ടി.സി. ലോഫേ്*ളാര്* ബസ്സുകള്* അനുവദിച്ചതായി യു.ഡി.എഫ്. കണ്*വീനര്* പി.പി. തങ്കച്ചന്* അറിയിച്ചു. ശനിയാഴ്ച രാവിലെ 9ന് കെ.പി. ധനപാലന്* എം.പി. ഫ്*ളാഗ് ഓഫ് ചെയ്യും.

രണ്ട് സര്*വീസുകള്* പെരുമ്പാവൂരില്*നിന്ന് മൂവാറ്റുപുഴ, മണ്ണൂര്*, വളയന്*ചിറങ്ങര, പോഞ്ഞാശ്ശേരി വഴി ആലുവയ്ക്ക് ആയിരിക്കും. പെരുമ്പാവൂര്*, പുത്തന്*കുരിശ്, തൃപ്പൂണിത്തുറ, എരൂര്* ക്ഷേത്രത്തിലേക്കാണ് ഒരു സര്*വീസ്. മറ്റൊന്ന് മൂവാറ്റുപുഴ, അങ്കമാലി റൂട്ടില്* സര്*വീസ് നടത്തും.

http://www.mathrubhumi.com/ernakulam/news/1040178-local_news-perumpavoor-%E0%B4%AA%E0%B5%86%E0%B4%B0%E0%B5%81%E0%B4%AE%E0%B5%8D%E0%B4%AA%E0%B4%BE%E0%B4%B5%E0%B5%82%E0%B4%B0%E0%B5%8D%E2%80%8D.html


As part of 100 days program, KSRTC started 4 Low floor buses from Perumbavoor Depot. 3 routes are served in this time.

1. 2 buses will ply in Perumbavoor-Muvattupuzha via Mannur, Valayanchira-Ponjacherry-Aluva.

2. One bus will ply in Perumbavoor-Puthencruz-Tripunithara-Eloor Temple route.

3. Another bus operates in Muvattupuzha-Angamally sector
:banana::banana::banana::banana:

കോതമംഗലം കെഎസ്ആര്*ടിസി ഡിപ്പോക്ക് പുതുതായി അനുവദിച്ച 3 ലോ ഫ്*ളോര്* ബസ്സുകള്* സര്*വീസ് ആരംഭിച്ചു.

നേര്യമംഗലം-മൂവാറ്റുപുഴ, പൈങ്ങോട്ടൂര്*-ആലുവ, വടാട്ടുപാറ-എറണാകുളം എന്നീ റൂട്ടുകളിലാണ് സര്*വീസ് നടത്തുന്നത്. ഡിപ്പോയില്* ഇപ്പോള്* 9 ലോ ഫ്*ളോര്* ബസ്സുകള്* സര്*വീസ് നടത്തുന്നുണ്ട്. പുതിയ ബസ്സുകള്* ടി.യു. കുരുവിള എം.എല്*.എ ഫ്*ളാഗ് ഓഫ് ചെയ്തു.

http://www.mathrubhumi.com/ernakulam/news/1040070-local_news-Kothamamgalam-%E0%B4%95%E0%B5%8B%E0%B4%A4%E0%B4%AE%E0%B4%82%E0%B4%97%E0%B4%B2%E0%B4%82.html


3 Low floor bus started its operations from Kothamangalam depot, as per announcement made eariler. The service will be as per following route;

Neriyamangalam-Muvattupuzha-Aluva-Vattupara-Ernakulam

Currently Kothamangalam depot has 9 low floor bus services..... Good going, Ernakulam:cheers::cheers::cheers:

As part of 100 days program, KSRTC started 4 Low floor buses from Perumbavoor Depot. 3 routes are served in this time.

1. 2 buses will ply in Perumbavoor-Muvattupuzha via Mannur, Valayanchira-Ponjacherry-Aluva.

2. One bus will ply in Perumbavoor-Puthencruz-Tripunithara-Eloor Temple route.

3. Another bus operates in Muvattupuzha-Angamally sector
:banana::banana::banana::banana:

I couldn't understand the exact route of the first two, i mean the start and end points.

And, whatever ,the new buses, bustand,busstop all are counted in the account of 100 day program????
;)

The new railway ticket counter at the Kakkanad Civil Station will be inaugurated on July 30. The decision to open the counter this month was taken at a meeting convened at the District Collector's chamber on Monday.

"The blueprint of the railway counter has already been prepared and has been handed over to the PWD," Ernakulam District Collector P I Sheik Pareeth said.He also instructed the authorities concerned to complete the construction of the counter before July, 25.

The major services of Southern Railways, including normal ticket reservation, online ticketing facilities and season tickets will be available at the new counter. The counter will be operational from 8 am till 6 pm.

http://ibnlive.in.com/news/railway-counter-to-be-opened/166909-60-122.html

The decision of the government to undertake the project of providing transportation through the rivers and the backwaters of Kerala from Thiruvanathapuram to Kasargode is a very positive and welcome approach by the government.This will indeed give a boost to our historical backwater tourism. The World Travel Mart (WTM) has adjudged Alleppey backwaters as the thirteenth best tourist destination in the world. Due to this fact a lot of tourists are attracted from all over India and the world especially from Europe to this destination.The upcoming project of water transportation throughout Kerala at this juncture will be of great importance notably for the promotion of tourism

The ongoing development project by the government to connect the Kochi International Airport with Kochi city is very attractive. Even though there is no practical benefit for the users and passengers travelling through the airport in general, this will be of great happiness and immense pleasure for the tourists travelling within India and the world. The travel through the interiors of Kerala backwaters enjoying each and every moment of natural beauty and the travel through the Periyar river will give tourists an exclusive and exquisite experience to remember for a lifetime.

The IAAI (IATA Agents Association of India) Kerala state president, P B Boss has requested the government to extend the proposed water transport facility from Kanjoor to Kochi to the internationally recognised tourist destinations of Kalady and Malayattoor also which lies close to Kanjoor and the Kochi International Airport.This will give a far reaching opportunity to promote and increase the tourism industry in the years ahead.

http://www.expresstravelworld.com/201107/backwaters02.shtml

http://images.paraorkut.com/img/pics/images/h/happy_birthday_cake-1739.png

Happy Birthday Thiru-Kochi Bus services.

http://www.ksrtcblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/12/RNC-259-800_450.jpg

Thirukochi completed its one year of fruitful services for Kochinites. As a happy birthday gift, KSRTC now plans for 30 additional buses in 22 additional routes, mainly to connect suburbs and routes not covered by private buses to the city center. The proposal is now pending before RTA for approval. In addition, the District transport officials plan to extend the timings of Thiru-Kochi services till 10:30 PM in night to benefit night travellers. Currently all services end at 8:30 PM. The KSRTC also plans to increase the frequency of Ladies Only service from Kakkanad to Tripunithara route before Onam.

Currently there are 70 buses operating several routes, with more than 660 schedules. However most of them are currently running in low-density routes creating more losses. In addition scarcity in getting drivers and issues with private bus operators have made the service unreliable to some extend.

The District Transport officials plan to rectify by massive recruitment outside Kochi, provide additional training and secure for more profitable routes. The arrival of Thiru-Kochi has made a considerable change in transport sector of Kochi. Private buses operators improved their services and number of strikes went down significantly.

I was very happy to hear about ksrtc starting Thiru Kochi Services..But Sadly My Car was Hit from Behind by a thirukochi Bus the day i was in Kochi after the services started. :-(

At last the goverment seems to be supplying some amount of public transport to the people. But what about the roads in Cochin. They are the most dangerous things on the earth and if they are not planning to repair the roads, then what is the use of these newly launched public transport systems..

At last the goverment seems to be supplying some amount of public transport to the people. But what about the roads in Cochin. They are the most dangerous things on the earth and if they are not planning to repair the roads, then what is the use of these newly launched public transport systems..

This Govt seems in good mood to make better roads, if not world class..... Infact both PWD minister and Union Minister KV Thomas are daily mointoring the conditions. I wish the Cheraman Perumal era-kind of PWD manual must be thrown into Arabian sea as its national waste to construct 20mm thickness road in Kerala, due to its high pressure and continuum rains, which result in instant collapse of roads... I am happy the new minister is considering Rubberized roads with 40mm thickness.....

Though the authorities are planning more programmes to encourage people to use public transport, inadequate number of buses to meet the demand will play a major hurdle in the success of these campaigns, says a recent study by the Centre for Public Policy Research (CPPR).:bash:

“Although there has been a five percent increase in the population from the previous decade, the number of buses available for public transport remains almost the same,” the it said.

According to the study, in the year 1993, when the approximate population of Kochi was estimated at 5,72,560, there were 70 KSRTC buses and 630 private buses operating in the city limits.

The population of Kochi in 2011 is estimated at 6,18,348. Though the number of KSRTC buses has increased to 168, the number of private buses have been reduced to 530, taking the total number of buses plying through the city to 698.

In 2009, a proposal was sent from the RTO office, Kakkanad, and another proposal from the Thiruvanathpuram Transport Commission Office to the State Government, seeking an increase in the number of buses.

However, no progress is stated to have taken place, it said.

The study also says that Route Rationalisation has never happened till date. Route Rationalisation is a study to understand traffic demands, the inflow and outflow in the number of commuters and related details. It helps give a clear insight into public transport services, as required at each corner.

“The GPS system in the low-floor ac buses is yet to be activated. This facility helps GPS or GPRS-enabled mobile phone users to avail themselves of bus arrival timings. GPS navigation also shows commuters where they have travelled, allowing routes to be pre-programmed,” the study says.

Unless these concerns are addressed, the bus, as a medium of transport, will fail to attract the residents of Kochi, who are downcast due to hiked petrol prices and increased traffic congestion, it says.

Bus Day today

The fourth edition of the Bus Day, the concept launched to encourage the public to adopt public transport, will be observed on Wednesday.

The major highlight of the fourth edition will be the free journey offered by the authorities in the double-decker bus, for the morning trip. The morning trip will start at 8.30 am from Thoppumpady to Angamaly and will ply back to Vyttila.
There will be concession on ticket fare at the low floor AC bus that will start its operation by 8 am from Vyttila. The Indian Chamber of Commerce will offer coupons priced at Rs 5 which can be used for travelling in private buses.

http://ibnlive.in.com/news/commuters-on-the-rise-but-not-the-buses/168838-60-122.html

In order to ease the traffic in the city, Campaign for Economic and Most Appropriate Transport System (CEMATS), Kochi, has come up with a proposal for integrated transport system. The proposal comprises projects such as introduction of suburban train, extending bus services to new routes, using the underutilised roads properly, constructing flyovers in certain areas, renovation of junctions and starting more circular services.

CEMATS has submitted the proposal to Kochi Mayor Tony Chammany. High-speed suburban trains should be introduced in the Thrissur-Ernakulam-Kottayam, Thrissur-Ernakulam- Alappuzha and Alappuzha-Ernakulam-Kottayam sectors. “If automatic block signalling system is used, we can run more services using the existing railway tracks. The construction of Sabari rail should be expedited and the project should be extended to Thiruvanthapuram,” said V M Michael, convener, CEMATS.

The old railway station near the High Court should be put to use. The station can be used as a terminal for suburban train. “Ernakulam Junction-Kochi Harbour railway line should be electrified. The services now halting at Ernakulam Junction station should be extended to Fort Kochi,” he said.

Bus services should be started in new routes like the Thoppumpady-Kundannor-Vyttila, Thoppumpady-Tripunithura-Mulanthuruthy and Ernakulam-Vallarpadom-Kalamassery routes.

More services should be started to connect the Tripunithura-Kakkanad-Medical College-Eloor stretch.

A terminal should be opened in Kaloor for starting more city bus services so that long distance buses can end their services without entering the city centre. The water transport system should be vitalised.

http://ibnlive.in.com/news/integrated-transport--system-mooted/168846-60-122.html

http://www.thehindu.com/multimedia/dynamic/00668/27Junethajs03_roads_668897f.jpg

Passengers waiting at the city bus stops will soon be protected from the elements. The Kochi Corporation has cleared a proposal for setting up 51 bus shelters in the city. The shelters will come up on the Build, Operate and Transfer mode.

While Max View Media Solutions, a private agency, will set up 42 shelters, Aiswarya Advertising, another private firm, will put up nine shelters in the spots to be identified by the Town Planning Department of the City Corporation.

The design for the shelters would be prepared by the Town Planning Department and the Engineering wing of the civic body would supervise the construction, said K.J. Sohan, chairman, Town Planning standing committee.

The firms investing in the project would realise their investment by way of displaying advertisements in the shelters. The agencies have agreed to the proposal of the corporation that the display rights will be for three years and they will not stake any claim on the shelters after the expiry of the term, according to a corporation document.

The shortage of bus shelters and public toilets had been creating inconvenience to the passengers. Many of the existing shelters had lost their roofs and protective structures exposing the waiting passengers to the elements.

All the shelters would have a uniform design and the corporation was in the process of finalising one. The cost of setting up the structures could be ascertained only after the finalisation of the design, civic authorities said.

It would be the responsibility of the agencies to maintain the shelters during the contract period. Some of the existing shelters will also be rebuilt and modern amenities will be provided in them. The Engineering wing of the corporation will ensure the structural safety and related aspects of the shelters.

The corporation had earlier set up three model bus shelters in the city.

http://www.thehindu.com/multimedia/dynamic/00668/27Junethajs03_roads_668897f.jpg

Del. Wrong thread

Though the authorities are planning more programmes to encourage people to use public transport, inadequate number of buses to meet the demand will play a major hurdle in the success of these campaigns, says a recent study by the Centre for Public Policy Research (CPPR).:bash:

“Although there has been a five percent increase in the population from the previous decade, the number of buses available for public transport remains almost the same,” the it said.

According to the study, in the year 1993, when the approximate population of Kochi was estimated at 5,72,560, there were 70 KSRTC buses and 630 private buses operating in the city limits.

The population of Kochi in 2011 is estimated at 6,18,348. Though the number of KSRTC buses has increased to 168, the number of private buses have been reduced to 530, taking the total number of buses plying through the city to 698.

In 2009, a proposal was sent from the RTO office, Kakkanad, and another proposal from the Thiruvanathpuram Transport Commission Office to the State Government, seeking an increase in the number of buses.

However, no progress is stated to have taken place, it said.

The study also says that Route Rationalisation has never happened till date. Route Rationalisation is a study to understand traffic demands, the inflow and outflow in the number of commuters and related details. It helps give a clear insight into public transport services, as required at each corner.

“The GPS system in the low-floor ac buses is yet to be activated. This facility helps GPS or GPRS-enabled mobile phone users to avail themselves of bus arrival timings. GPS navigation also shows commuters where they have travelled, allowing routes to be pre-programmed,” the study says.

Unless these concerns are addressed, the bus, as a medium of transport, will fail to attract the residents of Kochi, who are downcast due to hiked petrol prices and increased traffic congestion, it says.

Bus Day today

The fourth edition of the Bus Day, the concept launched to encourage the public to adopt public transport, will be observed on Wednesday.

The major highlight of the fourth edition will be the free journey offered by the authorities in the double-decker bus, for the morning trip. The morning trip will start at 8.30 am from Thoppumpady to Angamaly and will ply back to Vyttila.
There will be concession on ticket fare at the low floor AC bus that will start its operation by 8 am from Vyttila. The Indian Chamber of Commerce will offer coupons priced at Rs 5 which can be used for travelling in private buses.

http://ibnlive.in.com/news/commuters-on-the-rise-but-not-the-buses/168838-60-122.html

What is the current status of VMH? Kottayam bound buses started from VMH (July20th)?

What is the current status of VMH? Kottayam bound buses started from VMH (July20th)?

Does anything in our state happens on time? :lol:

I remember a filmy dialogue here:

2ആം തീയതി വരാം!

ഏതു മാസം?

എല്ലാ മാസവും ഉണ്ടല്ലോ :lol:

Btw, the ever happening Bus Day Mahaamaham happened yet again!!

http://img135.imageshack.us/img135/2608/26907424063234928850310.jpg
cc: Manorama

Union minister of state for consumer affairs, food and public distribution KV Thomas will flag off the inaugural service of Train No 22607/22608 Ernakulam-Bangalore weekly Superfast Express at Ernakulam Junction in a function on July 24.

State ministers, Mayor of Cochin, Members of Parliament, MLAs and District Panchayat president, would be present at the function.

The new weekly Train No 22607/22608 Ernakulam-Bangalore-Ernakulam weekly express will commence its run ex.Ernakulam on 24-7-11 and ex.bangalore on 25-7-11. Train No 22607 will leave Ernakulam at 17.00-hrs and will reach Bangalore City at 04.20-hrs. Train No 22608 will leave Bangalore City at 17.15-hrs and will reach Ernakulam Junction at 04.20-rs.

The train comprises of one Air-conditioned two-tier, Two Air-conditioned three-tier, fourteen sleeper class coaches, Three general second class and two luggage cum second class coaches.

This train will have stoppages at Aluva, Thrissur, Ottapalam, palakkad, Podanur, Tiruppur, Erode, Salem, Tirupattur, Bangarpet Krishnarajapuram and Bangalore Conton- ment.

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Flagging-off-of-Superfast-Express-between-Ernakulam-Bangalore-on-July-24/articleshow/9323675.cms

What is the current status of VMH? Kottayam bound buses started from VMH (July20th)?

Phase one of VMH is "said" to be complete. IIRC, the exit road from VMH to Tripunithura Road is not complete. The July 20th date was for a trial - not sure if the trial happened.

However, shifting of KSRTC buses would take a real long time - a lot of long distance buses of KSRTC refuel at Ernakulam - so they need to have a refueling facility at VMH before KSRTC can think of moving operations there. With the start of work of the Flyover at KSRTC, operations are gonna be a mess.

^^ amazing ! looks like a spokesperson or commentator? gr8 updates !

Transport Officials announced launch of daily services from Aluva to 4 temple circuit (Nalambalam darshanam) for the month of Karkidakam as part of Ramayana observances. The daily services will ply on Aluva- Moozhikulam-Payyamel-Irijnalakuda-Tripprayar-Guruvayur sector.

The special service starts at 06:25 AM.

K V Thomas, Union Minister of State for Food Consumer Affairs and Public Distribution, has urged the need for more trains to address the transport problem of the people.

He was speaking after the flagging-off ceremony of the Ernakulam-Bangalore weekly Superfast Express at the Ernakulam Junction Railway Station at 5 pm on Sunday. The train is meant to benefit students and professionals travelling between Kochi and Bangalore.

Citing that despite it being the inaugural journey of the train, the minister said the waiting list had 128 persons. He said the introduction of just one more train would not solve the entire transport problem. More such trains have to be introduced, he added. The minister said he would ask the railway ministry to convert the newly-introduced weekly Bangalore Express into a daily express. The 22-coach train having a 1,600-seat capacity consists of 14-sleeper cabin- coaches, a single two-tier AC coach, two three-tier AC coaches and five general compartments.

The weekly Sunday train, departing from Kochi at 5 pm, has stops at Aluva, Thrissur, Ottapalam, Palakkad, Podanur, Tirupur, Erode, Salem, Tirupattur, Bangarapet, Krishnarajapuram, Bangalore cantonment and Bangalore city.
Southern Railways divisional railway manager Rajiv Dutt Sharma said, “The division has at least 1,500 holiday special trains. Also, we had started 32 more trains in the last six years.” Despite this, there is a constant demand for more trains by passengers, he said, adding that the Bangalore Express is one such train meant to meet the demand.

It was also informed that 90 new trains will be introduced by the Indian Railways with 12 trains in the Kerala region. The other developments proposed for the railway sector include a setting up of a Passenger Reservation Centre at the Thrikakkara Collectorate, modernising the Edappally railway station and more development works at the Tripunithura railway station. Dhanapalan MP, Charles Dias MP, Dominique Presentation MLA, Hibi Eden MLA, Benny Behnan MLA, district panchayat president Eldose Kunnapally were also present.

http://ibnlive.in.com/news/more-trains-needed-says-union-minister-thomas/170167-60-116.html

================================================

:applause: Good to hear this. In TV News I heard, K.V Thomas promised that he will work for getting a Ernakulam-Bangalore Durnato services, apart from making this daily.

Hope its very urgent order of the day, in view of rising bus fares from Kochi to Blore.

Based on yesterday's Metro Analysis discussions held between Kochi Metro officials and District administration along with other stakeholders like City Police, Corporation, Municipal council officials, the traffic to the city is planned to streamlined once the North ROB will be partly demolished for reconstruction purposes.

The City Traffic Police presented he following proposals, which is submitted for District Administration's approval

1. There will be traffic curbs and restrictions from 7:00 AM to 9:00 PM in all parts of the Kochi city, particularly in North ROB-Kaloor area.

2. Buses plying from Kaloor Bus stand and KSRTC Buses operating to South, Boat Jetty Bus station can ply over partly demolished North ROB

3. Buses plying from Kakkanad side, operating via Edappally, will have to use Palarivattom Round and take diversion to Thammam road, enter into the MG Road, via TP road.

4. KSRTC Buses from Northern sides, bound to KSRTC Station in Rajaji Road, after servicing at Kaloor Bus stand, must take diversion to Kaloor Kadavanthara road via Kathrikadavu Overbridge and enter into City via South Overbridge and reach Rajaji Road thro' MG Road.

5. Buses plying in Aluva-Fort Kochi route or buses from Aluva to MG Road, Chittoor Road etc must enter city via Container road, by taking exit at Kalamasserry.

6. Non Commercial vehicles like private cars etc from the CBD to Kaloor, Edappally side, must ply thro' Chittoor Road-Ayyappankavu-Pottakuzhi-Elamakkara and reach Kaloor.

7. All Heavy commercial vehicles like freight lorries etc are banned from entering into the city at peak hours. Heavy vehicles, containers etc are allowed to enter CBD only after 9:00 PM and must exit before 7:00 AM. And those operating, must operate via Container terminal road or South ROB.

A few roads will be declared as One Way roads

1. Kacheripady-Valanjambalam stretch of the Chittoor Road
2. C.P Ummer Road which will be one way from North to south direction
3. St.Benatick Road will be one way from West side to East

Parkings will be prohibited in these roads and few stretches from Edappally to Banerjee Road side as well as in KK Road.


http://malayalam.deepikaglobal.com/cat1_sub.asp?subcatcode=KL7

Kacheripady-Valanjambalam stretch of the Chittoor Road
2. C.P Ummer Road which will be one way from North to south direction

If both of these roads are made one-way in the same direction (which is the proposal), then how does the police expect vehicles from KSRTC and Krishna Swamy Road to proceed to Pulleppady proper (or even Pulleppady ROB)?

If both of these roads are made one-way in the same direction (which is the proposal), then how does the police expect vehicles from KSRTC and Krishna Swamy Road to proceed to Pulleppady proper (or even Pulleppady ROB)?

Good thought:) May be they look forward for buses to use MG Road and enter TP via Padma Junction...

For a city already squeezed for parking space, the reconstruction of the north overbridge raises question marks on the availability of space for parking in the vicinity of the alternative routes suggested.

Confounding matters, the authorities concerned - the Kochi Corporation, the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation and the Traffic Police - are nowhere near reaching a consensus on either the alternative routes or on providing proper parking facilities. While everyone agrees that parking is a big problem, none seems to have a solution.

The Kochi City Police have stated that parking will not be allowed on the routes suggested as alternatives when traffic is diverted from the Banerji Road.

While many routes, like the Thammanam-Pullepady Road, are already too narrow to even think of parking, the major issue is likely to surface for those using streets like the Chittoor Road, Kaloor-Kadavanthra Road and the Sahodaran Ayyappan Road which are lined with shops and other business establishments. KK Road and SA Road are already busy stretches with plenty of vehicles parked along the sides. These areas do not have sufficient pay and park facilities either.

“Parking is a major issue,” conceded Kochi Corporation secretary Ajith Patil.
“We have not decided on the exact location where parking will be disallowed. The proposals submitted by the police are under the consideration of the Town Planning Committee (TPC). There is also the issue of parking fees.
When the regulations come in, it may also affect the income of those operating pay and park facilities. These are technical matters that need to be looked at.”

However, the TPC Standing Committee chairman K J Sohan told ‘City Express’ that the Corporation had no role once the clearance is given to the project.
“The Kochi Corporation has given the No Objection Certificate, that’ all,” Sohan said.

“DMRC is handling everything. TPC had expressed its disagreement to the proposal in the current state. Alternative routes are also impractical.” The DMRC in turn has the passed the buck on to the police department. “We have not thought about parking,” said P Sriram of DMRC.

“We are concerned with only the work of the ROB. It is the police, the Corporation and the district administration that have to look after the arrangements to be made for the city as a whole.”

Meanwhile, the police are still unsure on how successful the proposals for traffic regulations will be.

“We will implement the new regulations only after the roads are repaired. The proposals have been suggested on a trial basis,” said Assistant Commissioner (Traffic) Mohammed Rafiq.

On the parking issue, he said, “The roads along the alternative routes will be declared no-parking zones. We will try to provide parking in some places on major roads like the Kaloor-Kadavanthra Road and the Sahodaran Ayyappan
Road.

If traffic becomes difficult to manage, we will use other byroads to divert the flow. It is impossible to prohibit parking everywhere. But certain restrictions will definitely be enforced.”

http://ibnlive.in.com/news/confusion-worst-confounded/170916-60-122.html

To make something remotely looks like a plan, you need a system that remotely looks orderly. We are ruled by chaos, so no planning is possible. So, the ONLY way to do something is to just take the best shot and deal with the effects later. We tend to 'find a way' and that is the only way that works in these parts of the world.

Just block the 2/3wheeler and LMV traffic at Kaloor and Kacheripady, diverting them to KK Road and chittoor road respectively. There will be BLOODY HELL on the first day, just HELL on the second, DISASTER on third, TROUBLE on fourth, and it will stabilize into IRRITATION thereafter, as people 'find a way'.

Just block the 2/3wheeler and LMV traffic at Kaloor and Kacheripady, diverting them to KK Road and chittoor road respectively.


The police experimented with making the Kacheripady - North Overbridge Stretch of Banerjee Road exclusive for busses and VIP vehicles some years ago, diverting LMV via St Benedict Road - Paramara Road and the now to be demolished side bridge. Not only did the plan flop in two days, the "bloody hell" did not downgrade to "hell" and "irritation." It escalated, and the citizens took up the matter in court, stating the authorities have no right to deny access to tax paying LMV's in the main through fare of a city, while still allowing busses and government vehicles to pass through. Pressure from all quarters forced the police to rescind in two days anyhow.

Here again, reserving the remaining portion of North ROB for busses will not work out. The only viable option is to divert all KSRTC busses, and 50% of Alwaye bound city busses via the Container Road. Big boards at Madhava Pharmacy Jn, High Court Jn and Kalamassery encouraging people to use the container road will also help.

All other vehicles will ultimately have to be given access to the North ROB and traffic will go back to the crawl that one witness in South ROB during peak hours.

KSRTC to start 4 more Thirukochi buses for Vypeen-Kakkanad

2 buses will ply in Vypeen Bus Stand- Vallarpadam-Container road-Eloor-Thrikkara-Kakkanad

2 buses will ply from Njarrakal-Vypeen-Vallarpadam-High Court Junction-Palarivattom-Vazhakal-Kakkanad.

Thirukochi will maintain a time schedule to avoid unhealthy competition between them and private buses operating in the sector

http://www.manoramaonline.com/cgi-bin/MMOnline.dll/portal/localContentView.do?tabId=16&programId=1079897613&contentId=9768344&district=Cochin&BV_ID=@@@&townName=&villageName=

സിവില്* സ്റ്റേഷനിലെ റെയില്*വേ ടിക്കറ്റ് കൗണ്ടര്* ശനിയാഴ്ച ഉദ്ഘാടനം ചെയ്യുമെന്ന് ബെന്നി ബഹ്*നാന്* എം.എല്*.എ.യും ജില്ലാ കളക്ടര്* പി.ഐ. ഷെയ്ക്ക് പരീതും പത്രസമ്മളേനത്തില്* പറഞ്ഞു. കഴിഞ്ഞ റെയില്*വേ ബജറ്റില്* പ്രഖ്യാപിച്ച, പാര്*ലമെന്റ് മണ്ഡലത്തില്* ഓരോ റിസര്*വേഷന്* കൗണ്ടറെന്നത് കേരളത്തില്* ആദ്യമായി കൊച്ചിയിലാണ് നടപ്പാക്കുന്നതെന്ന് ബെന്നി ബഹനാന്* പറഞ്ഞു. ഇവിടത്തെ റിസര്*വേഷന്* കൗണ്ടറില്* നിന്ന് രാജ്യത്ത് എവിടേക്കും ടിക്കറ്റ് റിസര്*വേഷനും ക്യാന്*സലേഷനും നടത്താം.

സിവില്* സ്റ്റേഷനില്* പണി പൂര്*ത്തിയാകുന്ന പുതിയ കെട്ടിടത്തിലെ കോണിപ്പടിയോട് ചേര്*ന്നാണ് ടിക്കറ്റ് കൗണ്ടറിന്റെ താത്കാലിക പ്രവര്*ത്തനം. പിന്നീട്, പുതിയ കെട്ടിടത്തിലേക്ക് മാറ്റാന്* ജില്ലാ ഭരണകൂടം നടപടി എടുക്കുമെന്ന് ജില്ലാ കളക്ടര്* പറഞ്ഞു.

സതേണ്* റെയില്*വേയുടെ എല്ലാ സൗകര്യങ്ങളും ഇവിടെ ലഭ്യമാക്കും. രണ്ടുപേരെ ജോലിക്കായി നിയോഗിച്ചിട്ടുണ്ട്. രാവിലെ എട്ട് മുതല്* വൈകുന്നേരം ആറ് വരെയായിരിക്കും പ്രവര്*ത്തനം. ഞായറാഴ്ച ഉച്ചയ്ക്ക് 12 വരെ കൗണ്ടര്* പ്രവര്*ത്തിക്കും.

12 മണിക്ക് കളക്ടറേറ്റില്* ബെന്നി ബഹനാന്* എം.എല്*.എ. അധ്യക്ഷനാകുന്ന യോഗത്തില്* കേന്ദ്രമന്ത്രി കെ.വി. തോമസ് കൗണ്ടര്* ഉദ്ഘാടനം ചെയ്യും. മന്ത്രി കെ. ബാബു ആദ്യടിക്കറ്റ് വില്*പ്പന നടത്തും. എം.പി.മാരായ പി. രാജീവ്, ഡോ. ചാള്*സ് ഡയസ്, ജില്ലാ പഞ്ചായത്ത് പ്രസിഡന്റ് എല്*ദോസ് കുന്നപ്പള്ളി, തൃക്കാക്കര നഗരസഭാ അധ്യക്ഷന്* പി.ഐ. മുഹമ്മദാലി തുടങ്ങിയവര്* മുഖ്യാതിഥികളായിരിക്കും.

Satellite Railway Reservation counter will be inagurated BY Union Minister KV Thomas. Satellite Railway Reservation Counter system allocated to each MP in his choice of place within his constituency, was announced in last Rail Budget. Accordingly K.V Thomas MP, announced launch of Kerala's first Satellite Reservation counter in Kochi, at Collectorate complex in Kakkanad.

The reservation counter will currently function near the Main staircase at New complex and will be soon shifted to Railway Office at new Collectorate complex.

The Counter will have all reservation facilities like any Railway station Reservation counter. 2 staff will manage the facility and people can avail booking services from 7:00 AM to 6:00 Pm on all weekdays and Saturdays. On Sundays and public holidays, the counter will be open from 7:00 AM to 12:00 Noon.

The facility is going to benefit people in growing Eastern suburbs particularly techies of Kakkanad IT hub.

http://www.mathrubhumi.com/ernakulam/news/1079224-local_news-Kochi-%E0%B4%95%E0%B5%8A%E0%B4%9A%E0%B5%8D%E0%B4%9A%E0%B4%BF.html

നിര്*ദ്ദിഷ്ട മെട്രോ റെയില്* പദ്ധതിയുടെ ഭാഗമായി എറണാകുളം നോര്*ത്ത് പാലം പൊളിക്കുമ്പോള്* ഉണ്ടാകുന്ന ഗതാഗതക്കുരുക്ക് ഒഴിവാക്കാന്* ഇടപ്പള്ളി, തൃപ്പൂണിത്തുറ എന്നീ റെയില്*വേ സ്റ്റേഷനുകള്* വിപുലീകരിക്കുന്ന കാര്യം പരിഗണിക്കുമെന്ന് കേന്ദ്രമന്ത്രി കെ.വി. തോമസ് പറഞ്ഞു. പാര്*ലമെന്റ് സമ്മേളനത്തിന് ശേഷം അതത് റെയില്*വേ സ്*റ്റേഷന്* സ്ഥിതിചെയ്യുന്ന പ്രദേശങ്ങളിലെ നാട്ടുകാരുടെയും ബന്ധപ്പെട്ട ഉദ്യോഗസ്ഥരുടെയും യോഗം ചേരുമെന്നും മന്ത്രി വ്യക്തമാക്കി. കാക്കനാട് സിവില്* സ്*റ്റേഷനില്* പുതുതായി സ്ഥാപിച്ച റെയില്*വേ റിസര്*വേഷന്* കൗണ്ടറിന്റെ ഉദ്ഘാടനം നിര്*വഹിക്കുകയായിരുന്നു അദ്ദേഹം.

മെട്രോറെയില്* നിര്*മാണത്തിന്റെ ഭാഗമായി തൃപ്പൂണിത്തുറയിലും കളമശ്ശേരിയിലും കൂടുതല്* ട്രെയിനുകള്*ക്ക് സ്റ്റോപ്പ് അനുവദിക്കുന്നതിലൂടെ നഗരത്തിലെ ഗതാഗത പ്രശ്*നത്തിന് പരിഹാരം കാണാന്* കഴിയുമെന്ന് റെയില്*വേ റിസര്*വേഷന്* കൗണ്ടറിലെ ടിക്കറ്റിന്റെ ആദ്യ വില്*പനയുടെ ഉദ്ഘാടനം നിര്*വഹിച്ച് എക്*സൈസ് മന്ത്രി കെ.ബാബു പറഞ്ഞു.

ബെന്നി ബഹനാന്* എംഎല്*എ അദ്ധ്യക്ഷത വഹിച്ച ചടങ്ങില്* ജില്ലാ കളക്ടര്* പി.ഐ. ഷെയ്ക്ക് പരീത് സ്വാഗതവും പി.രാജീവ് എം.പി, ചാള്*സ് ഡയസ് എം.പി, ജില്ലാ പഞ്ചായത്ത് പ്രസിഡന്റ് എല്*ദോസ് കുന്നപ്പിള്ളി, തൃക്കാക്കര മുനിസിപ്പല്* ചെയര്*മാന്* പി.ഐ.മുഹമ്മദാലി, ഇന്*ഫോപാര്*ക്ക് സി.ഇ.ഒ ജിജി ജോസഫ്, ഡവലപ്പ്*മെന്റ് കമ്മീഷണര്* സി.ജെ.മാത്യു, തൃക്കാക്കര നഗരസഭ സ്റ്റാന്*ഡിംഗ് കമ്മിറ്റി ചെയര്*മാന്* വര്*ഗീസ് പൗലോസ് എന്നിവര്* സംസാരിച്ചു. സതേണ്* റെയില്*വേ ഏരിയാ മാനേജര്* ജോര്*ജ്ജ് ജോണ്* നന്ദി പറഞ്ഞു.

http://www.mathrubhumi.com/ernakulam/news/1081850-local_news-Kakkanadu-%E0%B4%95%E0%B4%BE%E0%B4%95%E0%B5%8D%E0%B4%95%E0%B4%A8%E0%B4%BE%E0%B4%9F%E0%B5%8D.html

Union Minister K.V Thomas while inaugurating Reservation counter, said that, he will speed up for development of Kalamasserry and Tripunithara railway stations. As the traffic congestion is expected to happen, the development of railway stations will help to reduce to some extend. He said, he will try pressurizing Union Railways to introduce stops for most of the trains at these stations, so that public may not require to enter into CBD and increase congestion, after the North ROB pulls down.

He along with railway officials, will meet locals after the upcoming parliamentary session to discuss about development.

As traffic regulations will be implemented once the North overbridge is demolished, the number of traffic petty cases is likely to grow. From the data available with the Traffic Police Commissioner Office 55,122 cases were registered in west and east traffic police divisions of the city this year.

The traffic etiquette of Kochiites is certainly not up to the mark.

Assistant Commissioner of Police, Traffic (East) Baby Vinod said that drivers and pedestrians should take traffic rules more seriously. People hardly care about them and act according to their whims and fancies.

He also admitted that the number of traffic offences around the North overbridge would increase once the new routes come into force. “We will depute additional police personnel in the area. Sign boards will be in place to guide people about the new routes. In case the new routes cause problems, the traffic department would consult the Corporation and road safety authority to find a solution,” he said.

The number of accidents and traffic blocks can be minimised if the road users take traffic rules more seriously, he said.

A total of 6,679 vehicles were fined this year for violating parking rules and obstructive parking. For creating traffic obstruction 10,123 vehicles were fined, 320 cases were booked for competitive driving and 282 were taken into custody for rash and negligent riding under Sec 184 of Traffic Rules. 4,269 people were booked for left side overtaking. 280 people were caught for turning to the right and left without indicators and not giving hand signals.

The cops in the city have caught 5,548 riders without helmets or using helmets without chin strap. 2,439 people were fined for cutting red lights and disobeying police signals. 127 people were caught using mobile phones while driving. The most number of people were fined for violating lane discipline. From the traffic police records, 10,375 people have been booked for violating lane discipline.

Meanwhile, the revenue earned by the government from the fines charged on offenders is a point to be noted. Kochiites have paid Rs 63,87,800 as fine for traffic offences. In May, the revenue recovered from the fine for petty offences was around Rs 1,40,89,200 and Rs 74,700 was collected during election period when traffic officials were deputed on for poll duty.

http://ibnlive.in.com/news/road-etiquette-need-of-the-hour/171927-60-122.html

This is an eye-opener for Kochinites. The traffic is horrible and is primarily because of lack of respect to Traffic laws. Training and Awareness may not fully work. The traffic police must start charging hefty fines, so that people become traffic conscious. The biggest problem, I see in our city is lack of pediestrian traffic ways.. No proper zebra crossing, not mechanism to protect them and irrational driving attitude of private buses. Atleast demolition of North ROB, is a good gesture in making Kochinites aware of traffic in hours of crisis......

... drivers and pedestrians should take traffic rules more seriously. People hardly care about them and act according to their whims and fancies

Part of the problem lies with some of the traffic rules itself.

For example, when the Pulleppady ROB was inaugurated, the CP Ummer Road was made a one way (now revoked). A two wheeler or LMV instead of travelling just 10-20 meters to reach the bridge then had to travel nearly a kilometer by taking a long detour via Krishna Swamy Road, Chittoor Road and Pullepady Road to reach the bridge, and in this process created needless traffic congestion at Pulleppady Junction. (Similarly by not allowing a right turn at the bridge landing, vehicles had to travel an additional kilometer to reach Pulleppady). Restricting heavy vehicles made sense, but restricting and fining even two wheelers was not a wise move. Now with the one-way revoked, traffic congestion is less at both CP Ummer Road and Puleppady Road.

When North ROB is to be demolished now both this C P Ummer Road and Chittoor Road will be made one way, if the proposals are implemented as it is. This means the only option for a vehicle from KSRTC side to proceed in the northern direction will be MG Road. In such circumstances, breaking the one way and paying the fine may still be the cheaper and faster option rather than waste petrol and time taking MG Road.



Then, some years back, I saw the traffic police fining vehicles for breaching the one way at Convent Road. The fact was that the sign post for one way was only at Convent Jn. Those coming from TD Road had no way of knowing it was a one-way and yet they were fined.

ആലുവയിലെയും ചൊവ്വരയിലെയും ജല ശുദ്ധീകരണ ശാലയുമായി ബന്ധപ്പെട്ട് മലിനീകരണമുണ്ടാകുമെന്ന് ചൂണ്ടിക്കാട്ടി ശക്തമായ എതിര്*പ്പുണ്ടായിട്ടുള്ള സാഹചര്യത്തില്* നെടുമ്പാശേരി-കൊച്ചി ജലപാതയുടെ റൂട്ടില്* മാറ്റം വരുത്തുന്നത് പരിഗണിക്കുന്നു.

ജങ്കല്*തോട് നിന്ന് പെരിയാര്* വഴി കൊച്ചിയിലേക്കാണ് നിലവില്* റൂട്ട്. ഇത് ചെങ്ങമനാട്-പുത്തന്*വേലിക്കര പഞ്ചായത്തുകളിലൂടെ മാറ്റുന്ന കാര്യമാണ് പരിഗണിക്കുന്നത്. ഇത്തരം ഒരു റൂട്ട് തയാറാക്കി പൊതുപ്രവര്*ത്തകനായ എ.കെ. നസീറിന്റെ നേതൃത്വത്തില്* ഏതാനും പേര്* ജലസേചന മന്ത്രിക്ക് നിവേദനം നല്*കിയിരുന്നു. ജലപാത പുതിയ റൂട്ടിലൂടെയാകുമ്പോള്* ജല ശുദ്ധീകരണ ശാലയിലേക്ക് മാലിന്യം ബാധിക്കില്ല. ഈ രണ്ട് പഞ്ചായത്തുകളിലെ കുടിവെള്ളക്ഷാമത്തിന് പരിഹാരമുണ്ടാക്കാനും കഴിയും.

നിലവിലെ റൂട്ട് പരിസ്ഥിതി പ്രശ്*നമുണ്ടാക്കുമോ, ഉണ്ടാക്കുമെങ്കില്* ഏതുവിധത്തില്* പരിഹാരം കാണാം എന്നതിനെക്കുറിച്ച് പഠനം നടത്താന്* ഏജന്*സിയെ നിയോഗിച്ചിട്ടുണ്ട്. പുതുതായി നിര്*ദേശിക്കപ്പെട്ട റൂട്ട് പരിഗണിച്ചാല്* തോട് നന്നാക്കുമ്പോള്* വന്* തോതില്* മണല്* ലഭിക്കും. ഇത് വില്*പ്പന നടത്തി ജലപാതയുടെ നിര്*മാണത്തിന് പണം കണ്ടെത്താം. ജലപാതക്ക് ജലസേചന വകുപ്പ് വിമാനത്താവള കമ്പനിയുള്*പ്പെടെ വിവിധ സ്ഥാപനങ്ങളുടെ സാമ്പത്തിക സഹായവും തേടിയിട്ടുണ്ട്. വിമാനത്താവള കമ്പനി മൂന്നുകോടി വാഗ്ദാനം ചെയ്തിട്ടുണ്ട്. സര്*ക്കാറിന്റെ നൂറുദിന പരിപാടിയില്* ഉള്*പ്പെടുത്തി ജലപാതയുടെ നിര്*മാണത്തിന് തുടക്കംകുറിക്കാനാണ് ഉദ്ദേശിച്ചിരുന്നത്. എന്നാല്*, പരിസ്ഥിതി പഠനവും പുതിയ റൂട്ടും പരിഗണിക്കേണ്ടതിനാല്* നിര്*മാണ പ്രവര്*ത്തനം ആരംഭിക്കാന്* വൈകും.

http://www.madhyamam.com/news/105639/110803

Airport-Seaport Waterway, which was recently in hot news due to strong opposition from environmentalists, citing that existing route affect the drinking water of the city, as it passes thro' Aluva and Chovara pumping stations and pollute the water, gets an alternative.

The new alternative is planned to take a diversion to Chemmanadu-Puthenvelikara side, hence it doesn't pollute the waters near treatment plant areas.

As these areas is compartively shallower, dredging will be required to deepen the channel and the sands can be sold to finance the entire project.

The government is planning to look into the new proposals.....

Once the Airport-Seaport waterway comes reality, it shall be a major boost to the city transportation with commissioning of first Water Metro route.

JU-zNRRicKA
CC:- Sujith Bhaskaran KSRTCblog

Double Decker Buses in Kochi city.

Double Decker Buses in Kochi city.

Double decker bus route has been modified in the city. Earlier, the bus was running one round trip on Ankamaly-Thoppumpady and then two round trips on Thoppumpady-Kalamassery.

This has been modified, and the bus now runs as
Angamaly-Thoppumpady-Angamaly-Vyttila-Angamaly-Thoppumpady-Angamaly.

http://img109.imageshack.us/img109/5323/tripunithara.png

Tripunithara to have a new Bus station adjacent to its Railway station with a widen road corridor. The 64 crore Rs project is one of the ambitious of the town. Rs 1 crore is alloted for the primary works.

A new ROB at Eroor and new parking grounds will come up in the town

The KSRTC Thiru-Kochi service is entering its second year of operation but it seems to be facing many hurdles and losing its popularity. Though there were moves by the former government to start 100 more Thiru-Kochi services, the decision seems to have been scuttled. KSRTC had decided to roll out 100 buses in Kochi and the fund for purchasing them was earmarked in the last budget presented by the former government.

Just an administrative order would have facilitated the introduction of more buses. “The government has decided to operate 50 more buses but it will take at least three or four months,” an official with KSRTC said. “According to the government the delay in getting the bodies of the buses built is delaying the allotment of more buses,” he said.

Moreover, KSRTC is unable to operate the existing services properly. According to the officials, an average of 22 trips is being cancelled due to the shortage of drivers. The situation arose after the mass retirement of employees from KSRTC in March. As filling these vacancies through PSC examinations is time-consuming, the KSRTC authorities approached the Employment Exchange at the district headquarters for the purpose. Even now there is a dearth of drivers in KSRTC.

The plight of passengers in the city has turned from bad to worse, with many of the private buses ceasing services. According to private bus owners, the entry of Thiru-Kochi buses had affected them adversely.

“Around 100 private buses operating in the city ceased services during the last one year. While, we have to keep the time limit for covering specific distances, there is no such restriction for the KSRTC buses,” said M B Sathyan, general secretary, Private Bus Operators Association.

http://ibnlive.in.com/news/thiru-kochi-service-in-need-of-repair/173413-60-122.html

=======================================

I am sure, the new transport minister has his own interests... So its almost slow death for ThiruKochi......:bash:

The existing bus stop at Vyttila for Tripunithura-bound buses has been shifted to Vyttila Mobility hub.

Buses coming from Tripunithura side would be diverted via bypass to enter the city, a statement said. Buses bound for Vaikom, Tripunithura, Kottayam and Muvattupuzha will take a left turn from Vyttila signal to enter the Mobility hub.

Meanwhile, the Regional Transport Authority has received application for shifting of bus stops near Woodland showroom and bus stops for buses bound from Tripunithara and Cherthala to mobility hub.

http://ibnlive.in.com/news/bus-stop-shifted-to-vyttila-mobility-hub/176310-60-122.html

Clarification: The eastbound buses will turn left BEFORE the signal, go parallel to the main bypass lanes, and stay left to get to the underpass of the overbridge. They will not cross the main lanes of bypass.

http://img405.imageshack.us/img405/9989/palaam.jpg

Courtesy:metrovaartha
http://www.metrovaartha.com/2011/08/15073820/VENDURUTHY-METRO-RAIL.html

Still Kottayam bound buses starts from Kaloor. Why not it terminate at VMH? Now VMH is just like a passing through stop only.

Still Kottayam bound buses starts from Kaloor. Why not it terminate at VMH? Now VMH is just like a passing through stop only.

Its a pain to reach Vyttila - perhaps thats the reason. Kottayam bound buses were being terminated at Kathrikkadavu for some time - it only created more problems for passengers.

I think new Kaloor-Kathrikadavu-VMH buses should be started - ideally, Kaloor should be converted to a hub for city buses. Instead of running Aluva-Fort Kochi buses, they should be split down to ALV-Kaloor and Kaloor-Fort Kochi. (I know it'll create hurdles for passengers - but that will go a long way in reducing road chaos, since buses will no longer have to jostle to complete their trips on time).

Once Kaloor-Kathrikadavu-Vyttila buses are started, all long distance buses from Kaloor should be shifted to Vyttila (even the ones go towards Kakkanad/Guruvayur should be shifted there - unless we have another bigger bus station at Edappally).

Decentralising of mofussil buses is the way to go for Kochi. They have no business in the city - they should be terminated outside the core areas of the city. City roads should have only city buses (This includes KSRTC services).

Good response to Bus Day from city commuters
Buses plying on the Vyttila-Vyttila circular route and those going to the eastern side of the city like Tripunithura and from there to other towns were allowed to enter the mobility hub on Wednesday.

Till now only KSRTC buses were being allowed into the hub.

Also on Wednesday, an initiative, as part of the monthly Bus Day celebrations, to select the best decorated bus in the city got enthusiastic response and ‘Golden Sand,' plying on the Vyttila-Vyttila circular route won the honours for the month.

The choice was made by a large gathering of commuters at the Vyttila Mobility Hub on Wednesday morning, when private buses entered the hub for the first time since it was established early this year.

The commuters were joined in by officials from the Motor Vehicles Department, Centre for Public Policy Research, Indian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Mobility Hub Society, and Red FM, who were also partners in the organisation of the Bus Day celebrations. Benny Behnan, MLA, and Tony Chammany, Mayor of the Corporation of Cochin, were special guests at the occasion. The prize for the best bus will be given away at the Bus Day celebrations in September.

Another event that marked the Bus Day celebrations on Wednesday was the release of a book ‘Know Your Kochi' by P. K. Prakashan, an enthusiastic lover of Kochi and its network of buses.

He told The Hindu that he took two years to write the book that described the bus routes in the city and its immediate suburbs, complete with the names of the bus stops.

He hopes that this will be a proper guide to those unfamiliar or confused over going about the city using its bus services.

Prakashan, hailing from Puthukkalavattam, Elamakkara, is a private company employee and began the book as a guide for his children, he said.

The book is priced at Rs.40 and will be available through residents' associations and at the office of the Corporation of Cochin, District Collectorate, select bookshops and at bus stations, he added.

Efforts are being made to use the mobility hub at Vyttila as the focus of decongesting the city by use of the buses. As part of a scheme to attract commuters using private vehicles, especially cars, car owners were offered parking facility at the mobility hub.

A test of the new scheme will be during the Onam season, when the rush of shoppers usually congests the arterial roads in the city.

The Hindu (http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/tp-kerala/article2367939.ece)

http://img847.imageshack.us/img847/313/09082011613copy.jpg
cc: Manorama

KebXdrDQZ-c
sMAqU_bD9Vw

:bash::bash::bash::bash:

What use of going to IIM-K, when both Corporation and KSRTC are running by fools!!!!

With the first phase of the Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission (JNNURM) projects set to end soon, chances of Kochi getting more low-floor A/C buses have become dim.

It is learnt that owing to the delay in payment, Volvo has decided not to deliver more buses to Kochi and Thiruvananthapuram this year. Of the 80 buses allotted to both the cities, 62 has been delivered so far. Among them, 42 are conducting services in Kochi and 20 in Thiruvananthapuram.
Sources in Volvo said the company would deliver buses to the cities after the dues were cleared.

“However, the payment for the last set of buses which were delivered is yet to be cleared and the company has decided not to deliver the remaining buses,” sources said.

Though 80 buses were sanctioned for both the cities, the KSRTC had earlier decided to restrict the number of buses in Thiruvananthapuram to 20, owing to the poor response. It had also planned to roll out the remaining number of buses in Kochi.

However, a Corporation official said that the civic body was unaware of the issue.

“Since the state government has not formed the special purpose vehicle (SPV) at the time of the launch of the buses, their operation is fully controlled by the KSRTC itself. They will not discuss any developments in this regard with the Corporation,” the official said.

“The buses were introduced as part of the public transport project under the JNNURM. The formation of the SPV for the management of these buses is mandatory as per the JNNURM guidelines. But the KSRTC has ignored this and conducted operations according to its plans,” the official said.
Parking lot getting ready

Kochi: The KSRTC has started land filling at the 3.5 acres it owns at Thevara for parking low-floor A/C buses.

The work of the new garage is expected to be completed on a war-footing as the KSRTC is finding it difficult to find space for the buses at the existing depot in Ernakulam.

The KSRTC has already handed over one acre of its land near the existing garage for the construction of a new rail overbridge (RoB) connecting Rajaji Road to Salim Rajan Road. This will further limit the parking space of the existing depot.

“The preliminary works, including land filling, have already been started in Thevara. We expect to complete the work within the stipulated time,” said P L Jose, KSRTC zonal officer. Jose said the KSRTC was considering the options to shift the base of Thiru Kochi buses to Thevara. “The authorities are considering both options. However, whether to shift Thiru Kochi buses or low-floor buses is yet to be finalised,“ said Jose.

Apart from facilities like garage, the rest rooms for the crew will also be constructed in the depot.

http://static.ibnlive.in.com/ibnlive/pix/header/ibn_logo.jpg (http://ibnlive.in.com/news/volvo-against-more-lowfloor-ac-buses/176880-60-122.html)

http://www.metrovaartha.com/ImageRetrevial.aspx?Id=8914D2D7-6CA4-47A9-B298-7C201EF872EC&wid=195&hei=140

നഗരത്തില്* സര്*വീസ് നടത്തുന്ന തിരുകൊച്ചിക്കും ലോഫ്ളോര്* എസി ബസുകള്*ക്കും തേവരയില്* പുതിയ സ്റ്റാന്*ഡ് വരുന്നു. സ്ഥലപരിമിതിയില്* വീര്*പ്പുമുട്ടുന്ന എറണാകുളത്തെ മുഖ്യ സ്റ്റാന്*ഡില്*നിന്നു വൈകാതെ സിറ്റി ബസുകള്* തേവരയിലേക്കു മാറ്റും.

കെഎസ്ആര്*ടിസിയുടെ ഉടമസ്ഥതയില്* ഇവിടെയുള്ള അഞ്ചേക്കര്* ഭൂമിയില്* ബസ് സ്റ്റാന്*ഡ് കം പാര്*ക്കിങ് യാര്*ഡ് നിര്*മാണത്തിനുള്ള പ്രാഥമിക നടപടികള്* തുടങ്ങി.

39 തിരുകൊച്ചി ബസുകള്*ക്കും 42 ലോഫ്ളോര്* എസി ബസുകള്*ക്കും വേണ്ടിയാണു നഗരമധ്യത്തില്* പുതിയ ബസ് സ്റ്റാന്*ഡ് ഒരുങ്ങുന്നത്.

സ്റ്റാന്*ഡ് നിര്*മാണത്തിനുള്ള ബ്ലൂപ്രിന്*റ് കെഎസ്ആര്*ടിസി തയാറാക്കി. നിര്*മാണത്തിനു ടെന്*ഡര്* ക്ഷണിക്കുന്നതടക്കമുള്ള നടപടികള്* ഉടനുണ്ടാകും. നിര്*മാണം പൂര്*ത്തിയാകുന്നതോടെ വൈറ്റില ബസ് ടെര്*മിനലുമായും നഗര പ്രാന്തപ്രദേശങ്ങളുമായും ബന്ധിപ്പിച്ച് ഇവിടെനിന്നു സര്*വീസ് ആരംഭിക്കാനാകും.

തേവര ഫെറിക്കു സമീപം സംസ്ഥാന ജലഗതാഗത വകുപ്പിന്*റെ ബോട്ട് യാര്*ഡിനോടു ചേര്*ന്നുള്ള അഞ്ചേക്കറില്* മൂന്നര ഏക്കറോളം ഭൂമിയാണ് ബസ് സ്റ്റാന്*ഡിനു വേണ്ടി തയാറാക്കുന്നത്.

മെറ്റലും ഗ്രാവലും ഉപയോഗിച്ചുള്ള നിലംഉറപ്പിക്കല്* ജോലികള്* ഉടന്* പൂര്*ത്തിയാകും. കെഎസ്ആര്*ടിസിയുടെ ഒരു സ്റ്റേഷന്* മാസ്റ്റര്* ഓഫിസ് ഇവിടെ പ്രവര്*ത്തിക്കുന്നുണ്ട്. സ്റ്റാന്*ഡും പാര്*ക്കിങ് സൗകര്യവും തയാറാകുന്നതോടെ നഗരത്തിലെ സിറ്റി സര്*വീസ് ഈ സ്റ്റേഷന്*റെ കീഴിലാകും.

ഗോശ്രീ - വല്ലാര്*പാടം റൂട്ടിലോടുന്ന 20 എണ്ണമടക്കം 70 തിരുകൊച്ചി ബസുകളാണ് ഇപ്പോള്* കൊച്ചിയില്* സര്*വീസ് നടത്തുന്നത്.

ഇതില്* 39 എണ്ണം എറണാകുളം ഡിപ്പോയില്* നിന്നുള്ളതാണ്. ഇതിനു പുറമേ ജനറം ഫണ്ടില്*നിന്നു ലഭിച്ച 42 ലോഫ്ളോര്* എസി ബസുകളും ആറു നോണ്* എസി ബസുകളും എറണാകുളത്തുനിന്നു സര്*വീസ് നടത്തുന്നു.

സര്*വീസിനു ശേഷം ഈ ബസുകള്* പാര്*ക്ക് ചെയ്യാന്* സ്ഥലമില്ലാത്ത അവസ്ഥയാണിപ്പോള്*.

കാരിക്കാമുറിയില്* കെഎസ്ആര്*ടിസിക്കുള്ള ഭൂമിയില്* ദീര്*ഘദൂര ബസുകള്*ക്കൊപ്പം കുറേ തിരുകൊച്ചി ബസുകളും സ്റ്റേ ചെയ്യാറുണ്ടെങ്കിലും ലോഫ്ളോര്* ബസുകളെല്ലാം സ്റ്റാന്*ഡില്*ത്തന്നെ നിരത്തിയിടുകയേ വഴിയുള്ളൂ. ഇതു സ്റ്റാന്*ഡില്* രാത്രിയെത്തുന്ന ദീര്*ഘദൂര ബസുകള്*ക്കു മാര്*ഗതടസം സൃഷ്ടിക്കുന്നുണ്ട്.

ഈ പ്രശ്നത്തിനു ശാശ്വത പരിഹാരമെന്ന നിലയ്ക്കാണു സിറ്റി സര്*വീസിനു മാത്രമായി തേവരയില്* പുതിയ സ്റ്റാന്*ഡ് നിര്*മിക്കുന്നത്.

സലിംരാജന്* മേല്*പ്പാലത്തിന്*റെ നിര്*മാണം പൂര്*ത്തിയാകുന്നതോടെ ഇപ്പോള്* മുഖ്യ സ്റ്റാന്*ഡിലുണ്ടാകുന്ന തിരക്കു വീണ്ടും കൂടുമെന്നു കെഎസ്ആര്*ടിസി സോണല്* ഓഫിസര്* പി.എല്*. ജോസ് ചൂണ്ടിക്കാട്ടി. ഇതുകൂടി കണക്കിലെടുത്താണ് തേവരയില്* സിറ്റി ബസുകള്*ക്കായി സ്റ്റാന്*ഡ് നിര്*മിക്കുന്നത്.

തേവരയിലെ ലാന്*ഡ് ഫില്ലിങ് ജോലികള്* ഏറെക്കുറേ പൂര്*ത്തിയായെന്നും മറ്റു നടപടികള്* വൈകാതെ ആരംഭിക്കുമെന്നും അദ്ദേഹം പറഞ്ഞു.

http://www.metrovaartha.com/images/metroBETA.gif (http://www.metrovaartha.com/2011/08/20093336/thevara-stand20110820.html)



All city buses including Thirukochi and Low Floor services will soon move to upcoming Thevera Bus stand. The main station which is reeling under heavy traffic pressure, cannot accommodate the increased KSRTC Buses.

The bus stand will be coming up in 5 acres of land, which will have a modern bus stand and parking yard. 39 Thirukochi Buses and 42 low floor buses will be stationed here.

KSRTC already prepared the blueprint and tender process will carried immediately. Once completed, buses will connect to VMH and other suburbs from the facility.

The station is coming up in land owned by SWTD's Ferry station-Thevera.

Currently land-filling and levelling the land is carried out with metal and gravel, to create parking yard in war-footing. This is accommodate buses which are parked elsewhere, due to shortage of parking facilities during night.

http://www.deccanchronicle.com/sites/default/files/imagecache/article_horizontal/article-images/23kochi.jpg.crop_display.jpg

New car owners are keen to flaunt their number plate too.

And the best way for that in the Ernakulam district is to get it registered in Kochi so that the new car gets a KL-7 tag.

The city has been a big buyer of hot wheels for long time in the state.

While other towns in the district like Muvattupuzha (KL-17), Trippunithura (KL-39), Perumbavoor (KL-40), Aluva (KL-41), North Paravoor (KL-42), Mattancheri (KL-43) and Kothamangalam (KL-44) have just single alphabet extension code like ‘A’, ‘B’ or ‘C’ for new registrations are less, Kochi has jumped to double alphabet and the present code is ‘BS’.

For one, to own a vehicle with a ‘KL-7 BS’ registration is without doubt stylish than a ‘KL-39 C’ tag.

But this has put the RTO officials in the city in trouble as most often people use a temporary residential address or office address in the city to get the vehicle. That involves more paper work.

Amid the issues like less manpower in the department, RTO officials in the city have to crosscheck the address proofs.

“People outside the corporation going in for KL-7 registration has made things difficult for us. We have to verify their permanent and temporary address which is extra job. There is no provision for us to deny their application. And when 100 requests come like this, the whole process naturally gets slower”, a senior official in the RTO said.

It is a tough job for the buyer too, who has to run from post to pillar to finally get their vehicle registration. But, they do not mind it as long as they get the ‘KL-7’ tag, he adds.

Vehicles bought by non-Keralites working here, especially by those in Infopark, have also added to the burden of the officials. Verifying their permanent address in remote North Indian districts has been a headache for the officials as it takes months to get things confirmed.

“We are forced to approve the registration without much verification now. But, if these automobiles get involved in any crimes, we would be in trouble”, the officials said

http://www.deccanchronicle.com/sites/default/files/chronicle_logo.jpg (http://www.deccanchronicle.com/channels/cities/kochi/car-owners-vie-kl-7-tag-725)

Dumb article by deccan chronocle....understood the quality..:)

Dumb article by deccan chronocle....understood the quality..:)

I don't think so, considering the fact the number of rising number vehicles on the road, making it too congested. Despite of bificurication of Ernakulam district into several RTO number series, yet the registration for KL-7 is going beyond BS, which means its surely has meaning, unless you are in denial mood.

Recently Actor Dileep brought a new BMW, which too was registered with KL-7, despite of the fact (The car was shown in Indiavision's Fast Drive), Dileep is not resident of Cochin Corporation limits. He could have registered with his permanent address in Aluva, rather registered probably with his Marine Drive flat address. Another example would be Joy Alukkas, who sometime back registered Kerala's first Smartcar in Kochi, despite of the fact he is not a Kochi resident (his permanent address is naturally in Thrissur).

Several such instances were known. Perhaps I don't understand much, whats so big with KL-7. I am anyway not much interested in number plate mania, but there are many people like....

After months of deliberations, the authorities have decided to conduct a trial run of traffic regulation to facilitate demolition of the North Railway Overbridge.

District Collector P I Sheik Pareeth said the trial run would begin on Saturday.
Kochi Metro rail project nodal officer Tom Jose confirmed that the proposed trial run would be carried out as per the earlier decision.

The roads running parallel to the Banerjee Road and those around the north ROB will see increased traffic once the traffic diversion is implemented. But so far no concrete steps have been taken to repair these roads which have been suggested as alternative routes.

According to the regulations proposed by the Kochi city police, light vehicles coming from the Aluva side will be diverted to MG Road via Thammanam and Kathrikkadavu junctions. Some vehicles would be diverted to Thammanam Junction from Palarivattom to proceed along Thammanam-Pullepady Road to reach C P Ummer Road and Chittoor Road before touching MG Road.

The police have suggested two more routes: One from the main road in front of the Jawaharlal Nehru International Stadium and the other at Kaloor Junction to reach Kathrikkadavu Junction.

The proposed regulations suggest two routes for vehicles going out of the city.


One route is an exit towards Edappally touching Pachalam-Pottakuzhi-Elamakkara and Edappally.


The other is a diversion from MG Road to Veekshanam Road and then on to Thammanam-Pullepady Road. The proposed regulation notice states that vehicles coming from Kaloor to Ernakulam Town Railway Station should divert to Manapatty Parambu, then turn left to SRM Road to reach the station’s eastern entry.


Though it provides an alternative road, there is no parking space near the station’s eastern gate. But ambiguity prevails as the authorities concerned are yet to arrive at a consensus on various aspects related to the proposal. The traffic police and the Kochi Corporation Town Planning department are of the opinion that the regulations should be implemented only after repairing the roads on alternative routes.

http://ibnlive.in.com/news/bridge-demolition-trial-run-begins-on-saturday/177913-60-122.html

http://www.deccanchronicle.com/sites/default/files/imagecache/article_horizontal/article-images/23kochi.jpg.crop_display.jpg

New car owners are keen to flaunt their number plate too.

While other towns in the district like Muvattupuzha (KL-17), Trippunithura (KL-39), Perumbavoor (KL-40), Aluva (KL-41), North Paravoor (KL-42), Mattancheri (KL-43) and Kothamangalam (KL-44) have just single alphabet


Dear MI....you missed Angamaly (KL 63).

Dear MI....you missed Angamaly (KL 63).

I didn't miss, but DC Journalists/reporters missed it... The article came in DC-Kochi newspaper....:)

There is nothing much to trial here... I would definitely a chaos!!! They should have cleared those uncountable potholes before the trail.

After months of deliberations, the authorities have decided to conduct a trial run of traffic regulation to facilitate demolition of the North Railway Overbridge.

District Collector P I Sheik Pareeth said the trial run would begin on Saturday.
Kochi Metro rail project nodal officer Tom Jose confirmed that the proposed trial run would be carried out as per the earlier decision.

The roads running parallel to the Banerjee Road and those around the north ROB will see increased traffic once the traffic diversion is implemented. But so far no concrete steps have been taken to repair these roads which have been suggested as alternative routes.

According to the regulations proposed by the Kochi city police, light vehicles coming from the Aluva side will be diverted to MG Road via Thammanam and Kathrikkadavu junctions. Some vehicles would be diverted to Thammanam Junction from Palarivattom to proceed along Thammanam-Pullepady Road to reach C P Ummer Road and Chittoor Road before touching MG Road.

The police have suggested two more routes: One from the main road in front of the Jawaharlal Nehru International Stadium and the other at Kaloor Junction to reach Kathrikkadavu Junction.

The proposed regulations suggest two routes for vehicles going out of the city.


One route is an exit towards Edappally touching Pachalam-Pottakuzhi-Elamakkara and Edappally.


The other is a diversion from MG Road to Veekshanam Road and then on to Thammanam-Pullepady Road. The proposed regulation notice states that vehicles coming from Kaloor to Ernakulam Town Railway Station should divert to Manapatty Parambu, then turn left to SRM Road to reach the station’s eastern entry.


Though it provides an alternative road, there is no parking space near the station’s eastern gate. But ambiguity prevails as the authorities concerned are yet to arrive at a consensus on various aspects related to the proposal. The traffic police and the Kochi Corporation Town Planning department are of the opinion that the regulations should be implemented only after repairing the roads on alternative routes.

http://ibnlive.in.com/news/bridge-demolition-trial-run-begins-on-saturday/177913-60-122.html

New car owners are keen to flaunt their number plate too.

And the best way for that in the Ernakulam district is to get it registered in Kochi so that the new car gets a KL-7 tag.


The article is hyped and partially dump. Also, there are peoples like me,last month brought a scotter for family, instead getting the KL 7 BS tag using EKM address, brought it from native.

The article is hyped and partially dump. Also, there are peoples like me,last month brought a scotter for family, instead getting the KL 7 BS tag using EKM address, brought it from native.

Even me..... I won't take pain to take time to get KL-7, rather prefer for some other registration, if its less time consuming or others. Some time back, when my bro-in-law brought a new car, he registered with Perumbavoor rather than Kochi, though his permanent address in the city. The reason is it would take more than 2 weeks for in Ernakulam, while half of it in Perumbavoor.

But there are still large chunk of people who think otherway. Otherwise how come the number tag goes beyond BS..... It should stagnant some time back.....

If you recollect, some time back, we had a minister's son who threatened a superstar as well as a leading industrialist from participating in a Number plate auction, just to get one number.... Thats an extreme case... But still many people are crazy with such stuff...

score of autorickshaw's I found in idukki,thodupuzha has kl-7 registrations most of the time. this was on mid 90's. every vehicle broker agrees same year vehicle with "ernakulam registration" gets a little more price. that's why these people go through the trouble to get their vehicles registered KL-7.
I think now, this trend has come down in Thodupuzha municipality. but, still in rural Idukki, You can see KL-7-BR registered rickshaws.
may be, people from immediate neighbouring towns of Kochi will still prefer KL-7
OT: Anyone checked Tirur RTO statistics? KL-55 series reached "J" ,perhaps more higher numbers registered than Kozhikode,Malappuram RTOS. :o

Well, my own brother-in-law, who lives in Thripunithura, used his passport which was issued to his old home address in the city to get KL-7. Once registered, he changed the RC address to the current one using his voter's id.

I know a lot of people who do that.

With the administration all set to experiment the alternate traffic routes on Saturday as a run up to the demolition of the North overbridge, the Kochi Corporation warns that the move would create chaos, thanks to the heavy inflow of traffic, which is expected during the festive season.

"It is absurd to carry out trial run of vehicles through alternate routes on a weekend. Ramzan and Onam is around the corner and more people will be coming to the city for shopping and other activities. It will only help to create more traffic congestion in the city," said deputy mayor, Bhadra Sateesh.

Had the authorities taken some measures to coordinate various infrastructure projects in the city, the hardship caused to the public would have been minimal. But the authorities have failed to ensure proper cordination between various agencies associated with the infrastructure projects and Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC), the agency for implementing the Kochi Metro project.

The Vytilla Mobility Hub, a project envisaged as a solution to the traffic bottle necks in the city, had never been taken into consideration while shaping the plans for the allied projects of Kochi Metro Rail.

"Earlier there was little effort to link the Vytilla Hub with the Kochi Metro project. Managing director of the hub, M Beena said that Tom Jose, the nodal officer for Kochi Metro project had asked her to see that the first phase of the mobility hub was in full swing.

The residents' associations in the city also oppose the move. "We don't have a clear picture of the new routes. Moreover, most of the roads identified for redirecting traffic is not in good shape," said president, Ernakulam district residents association, P Rangadasa Prabhu.

Meanwhile, the district administration clarified that the alternate traffic arrangement would be put to test only for a day. "We had held discussions with Kochi mayor, Tony Chamminy and he had agreed to the idea of a trial run," said district collector, Sheik Pareeth.

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/kochi/Traffic-chaos-in-Kochi-on-Saturday/articleshow/9714675.cms

Though the owners of private buses plying on the Eloor-Kaloor and Aluva-Kaloor stretch have been on a collision course over the difference in running time for the buses running from Kalamassery to Kaloor, the authorities are of the opinion that the running time has been changed to reduce race among private buses and to bring down accidents involving private buses.

According to the new running time, private buses coming from Aluva have been given 20 minutes to reach Kalamassery and from Kalamassery to Kaloor, the buses have been given 25 minutes, considering the heavy traffic on this stretch. While the RTO has made changes in running time for private buses on the Aluva-Kaloor route, the timing of buses on the Eloor- Kaloor route remains unchanged.

Private buses from Eloor have been given 24 minutes to reach Kalamassery and from there 21 minutes to reach Kaloor. In fact, this difference in time for the buses on the same stretch has resulted in a contention between bus operators.

Aluva-Eloor region Bus Transporters Association president Muhammed Siddique said that there are differences of opinion among the bus owners in the running time, but we will sort it out as the change in running time is likely to reduce accidents and congestion on city roads.

Road Transport Officer T J Thomas said that the decision to reduce the running time on the Aluva-Kalamassery national highway stretch was taken years ago and we just decided to implement it from August 2. "We firmly believe that the new timings allotted to private buses on the Kalamassery-Kaloor stretch will reduce accidents. Buses coming from Aluva through the National Highway do not need 24 minutes as fixed earlier because the traffic is smooth along the newly-laid four-lane road," he said.

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/kochi/Running-time-changed-to-end-race-among-buses/articleshow/9714683.cms

I don't know for what District administration is going for a trial run, when all other government agencies are against the move......

As the district administration is gearing up for a one-day traffic diversion trial run on August 27 to assess the traffic complications that may arise once the North flyover is demolished, the city traffic police and the RTO have expressed their displeasure over the exercise.

The police say the trial run will not be feasible without the existing infrastructure facilities are improved and the roads repaired.

City traffic assistant commissioner, Muhammed Rafeeq, said the exercise will lead to chaos as the roads identified for traffic diversion are in a pathetic condition and the vehicles will be able to move through them only at a snail's pace. "We are short of staff and if it rains heavily on these days, it will be a traffic nightmare in the city," he added.

Traffic police estimate that nearly 30,000 to 40,000 additional vehicles, including two-wheelers, will reach the city during the run up to Onam and Ramzan festivals.

According to road transport officer (RTO), T J Joseph, around five lakh vehicles, including two-wheelers, three-wheelers and light motor vehicles, ply on the city roads every day. The administration has chosen the wrong day to conduct the trial run, he said.

"People from rural areas and other neighbouring districts will be coming to the city in their vehicles for festival shopping. A major chunk of these vehicles will enter the city from Palarivattom and Edapally. The roads to the city from Edapally will be crowded. We have requested the administration to postpone the trial run. First, let the corporation repair the roads and fix appropriate sign boards. People coming from outer areas need to be properly guided," Joseph added.

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/kochi/Police-RTO-object-to-trial-run/articleshow/9714703.cms

score of autorickshaw's I found in idukki,thodupuzha has kl-7 registrations most of the time. this was on mid 90's. every vehicle broker agrees same year vehicle with "ernakulam registration" gets a little more price. that's why these people go through the trouble to get their vehicles registered KL-7.
I think now, this trend has come down in Thodupuzha municipality. but, still in rural Idukki, You can see KL-7-BR registered rickshaws.
may be, people from immediate neighbouring towns of Kochi will still prefer KL-7
OT: Anyone checked Tirur RTO statistics? KL-55 series reached "J" ,perhaps more higher numbers registered than Kozhikode,Malappuram RTOS. :o

Also please check KL-45(Irinjalakuda). Perhaps higher than (dont knw exactly) Thrissur.

Travel woes of Fort Kochiites have been solved to some extent. The people are happy with the introduction of one more junkar in the Fort Kochi-Vypeen sector.:banana::banana:

Though the bidder was mandated to operate two junkars, only one junkar was serving the people of the area so far. As one of the two boats developed snags, the people were under tremendous strain to travel in packed boats.

The introduction of the second junkar has come as a great relief, K J Antony, former councillor, said.

This is helpful to those who bank on their vehicles to reach the city at short intervals.

The second junkar has helped people transport their four-wheelers and two-wheelers to Vypeen from where they can reach the city without any road block, another resident said.

But the absence of the second boat is putting commuters in distress. There are reports that its capacity is often exceeded.

According to Stanley, president, Vadathazha Residents Association, the boats are overcrowded during peak hours. No one is bothered about the safety of the people. One cannot blame the public for overcrowding because everyone wants to reach his or her destination at the earliest.

He said that the second junkar was operated after much hue and cry. Local councillor Antony Kureethara said that he had given a memorandum to the Mayor drawing his attention to the need for operating the second boat which had remained suspended for the last few months.

A Corporation official entrusted with boat services confirmed that only one boat was operating on the route. He said that the boat was lying at the jetty and was being used as a spare boat.

People depend on the Vypeen-Fort Kochi boat route to reach Aroor, Alappuzha, Edakochi, Palluruthy and other areas.

According to K J Sohan, chairman, Town Planning Committee, efforts were being taken to introduce better facilities for people who commute between Fort Kochi and Vypeen. The Ro Ro junkar system is in the pipeline and would bring revolutionary changes, he said.:banana:

http://static.ibnlive.in.com/ibnlive/pix/header/ibn_logo.jpg (http://ibnlive.in.com/news/kochi-gets-one-more-junkar/178666-60-122.html)

Also please check KL-45(Irinjalakuda). Perhaps higher than (dont knw exactly) Thrissur.

no, it is less than Thrissur.

http://img716.imageshack.us/img716/9260/vmha.png

All Inter-state buses operated by KSRTC as well as other RTCs along with private operators will start/end their services from Vytilla Mobility Hub from Sept 5th onwards.

All intercity buses (Mofussil) services will also be shifted to VMH.

This was decided by Collector, after consulting with transportation authorities, as part of preliminary works for Metro.

All city bus services including Volvos, Thirukochi and Pvt city services must operate to city from VMH to offer connectivity from the VMH to all parts of the city.

The second trial run will be on Sept 12th after today's planned trial run was postponed due to hue and cries against it on eve of Onam shopping festival time.

The collector also issued order to the Corporation to repair all its roads before Sept 12th to arrange alternate transport. A few roads will be taken over by Kochi Metro Rail Corporation. This includes, Pullepady-Kathrikadavu, Kathrikadavu Underpass, Pearson Road, Vikshanam road, C.P Ummer Road etc.

The company also seeked for Govt permission to appoint traffic wardens to regulate traffic. The company will also erect sign boards, traffic signals and reflector cones to divert traffic to alternate roads.

The meeting also decided to develop Vytilla-Petta Road in urgent priority. A 30 meter road is planned and in few stretches 30 meters are not available. In such cases, maximum acquisition will be the policy.

^^
well, don't know how it would be possible.... the major obstacle for starting KSRTC busses from VMH is lack of petrol pump there. Since fuel cost less in Kochi, KSRTC refuel its long distance busses from Ernakulam KSRTC stand..... in any case inter state busses can easily take the container road without using the North / South ROB

again, at present the main bridge in North ROB is not for the exclusive use of heavy vehicles.... so why should it become the case after demolition?.... moreover even after the side bridges go, North ROB will have the same width as South ROB, through which all vehicles pass.

Koothatukulam is going to get a Sub-depot of KSRTC, which will be opened to public today by Transport Minister. In next 6 months, it will be upgraded to a full fledged depot, with several buses operating out of the depot station.

A temporary workshop will also be opened in the depot, which will soon have its own workshop soon within 4 months.

http://www.manoramaonline.com/cgi-bin/MMOnline.dll/portal/localContentView.do?tabId=16&programId=1079897613&contentId=9949618&district=Cochin&BV_ID=@@@&townName=&villageName=

when piravom depot started, many are pessimistic about the need of that depot. now, piravom is operating a lot of services especially in rural areas connecting pala,highrange regions to ernakulam. hope koothattukulam depot also helps and not become liability for the debt ridden KSRTC.

^^
well, don't know how it would be possible.... the major obstacle for starting KSRTC busses from VMH is lack of petrol pump there. Since fuel cost less in Kochi, KSRTC refuel its long distance busses from Ernakulam KSRTC stand..... in any case inter state busses can easily take the container road without using the North / South ROB

again, at present the main bridge in North ROB is not for the exclusive use of heavy vehicles.... so why should it become the case after demolition?.... moreover even after the side bridges go, North ROB will have the same width as South ROB, through which all vehicles pass.
yes, ofcourse there exists the problem of petrol pump. But I will say one thing that this will avoid the unnecessary roaming of KSRTC superfast and fast services with in the major parts of city , which has heavy traffic block. Due to the traffic block, KSRTC gets delay around 1-2hrs daily. So this affects badly for the passengers who are coming from north like Thrissur and from Trivandrum side also. So this delay can be avoided to some extent due to the mobility hub.:)

Fuel station could be BUILT. Till then the buses could fuel from another station.

I am pretty sure that the fuel wasted by snaking through the city (and edakochi) would be several times over exceed the cost increase of filling from another station like Trichur or Alappuzha.

Tourists might soon be able to relive the history of ancient port city Muziris.
The Kerala Tourism Department plans to build 14 boat jetties along the 50-km waterway in the Muziris Heritage Site.

Circular boat services based on different themes will soon ply between the boat jetties. :banana::banana:The Kerala Shipping and Inland Navigation Corporation (KSINC) began the construction work of the jetties last week.

The government has allotted six months for the completion of five jetties under group ‘A’ and a year for the rest under group ‘B’.

“The jetties in group ‘A’ will be at North Paravoor, Kottapuram Market, Kottapuram Fort, Kottayil Kovilakam and Krishna Temple Paliam.

The group ‘B’ jetties will be at Pattanam, Kodungallur Reception Centre, Kottakavu Church, Thiruvenchikulam Temple, Pallipuram Fort, Sahodaran Ayyappan, Gothuruthu Cheria Palli, V K Rajan Memorial Park and Sree Narayana Park. The estimated cost for the project is `4.6 crore,” KSINC Managing Director Captain (Retd) C Unnikrishnan said. Boats will be the primary source of transportation within the heritage site area.

Kodungallur and North Paravoor will be the transport hubs of the circuit.

“The use of boats will ease the pressure on roads, parking lots etc., near the monuments. During the trip, official guides can inform tourists about the monuments and tell them their history,” the consultation draft of the Conservation Development Plan for Muziris Heritage Site stated.

Fourteen circuit tours based on different themes have been proposed. While one circuit will enable tourists visit the European monuments of the site, another one will be based on the temples.

Another circuit will be a tour to Kodungallur palaces. The survey for the project was done by the hydrographic wing in January.
But the project got stalled due to elections and the absence of a special officer.

“The waterways have to be dredged at many spots. There are proposals to build toilets and other amenities for people living on the banks,” E C Jude, senior technical officer of Hydrographic Survey Wing, North Paravoor, said.:banana::banana:

http://ibnlive.in.com/news/a-boat-ride-reliving-the-history-of-muziris/179394-60-122.html

The new Parasuram AC Air bus. A luxury to common man. Runnding between Paravur, a suburb of Kochi and Sulthanbathery as a Superfast. They replace their old AC bus and launched the new one on 22-08-2011 at Paravur.

http://img703.imageshack.us/img703/197/18697013.jpg

The Proud Owner Rajasekharan Puthussery

http://img830.imageshack.us/img830/7470/15361949.jpg

http://img199.imageshack.us/img199/8417/61967588.jpg

Crew

http://img718.imageshack.us/img718/5316/58773422.jpg

http://img580.imageshack.us/img580/1913/97022400.jpg

http://img9.imageshack.us/img9/4778/32888066.jpg

http://img62.imageshack.us/img62/1228/56420014.jpg

http://img35.imageshack.us/img35/9370/65467665.jpg

http://img819.imageshack.us/img819/9122/55368397.jpg


Image Courtesy : jimmystrains (http://www.flickr.com/photos/jimmystrains/) @ Flickr

The Southern Railway will run additional special train in the Ernakulam-Bangalore section which will leave Ernakulam junction at 5 pm on September 8.

Its pairing train will leave Bangalore at 6.50 pm on September 9. Meanwhile, the All-Kerala Railway Passengers Association has demanded special trains to different destinations to meet the Onam rush.

The Railways should operate trains to enable people reach home before Onam and help them return after the festival, Mathew Paul, association general secretary, said.

http://ibnlive.in.com/news/special-train-to-meet-onam-rush/179527-60-122.html

Lobbying started for Kochi city Suburban and Commuter Rail:cheers:



http://www.thehindu.com/multimedia/dynamic/00770/KI31RAILWAYSERF_770083f.jpg

The Railways must renovate the now unused Ernakulam Railway Goods (ERG) station (the old railway station located behind the High Court of Kerala) so that it becomes a hub for passenger trains, speakers at a discussion organised here by the Kochi Pourasamity on Tuesday said.

The railway station was built in 1902 at the initiative of the then Maharaja of Kochi Rama Varma and has the necessary infrastructure, including a station complex and railway lines linking it with the Edapally station. The station building can be done up while the railway lines can either be repaired or replaced.

The Pourasamity's demand to revive the ERG station (and the underutilised Harbour Terminus railway station in Wellingdon Island) comes in the wake of the Ernakulam Junction and Town railway stations becoming extremely congested, because of inadequate space to lay new tracks and the Railway's delay in renovating the station buildings.

Inaugurating the discussion, former Union Minister of State for Railways O. Rajagopal said that the Railway Ministry had conducted a study on reviving the ERG station. “With many development projects in the pipeline, the city need mainline electric multiple unit (MEMU) trains (which can be based at the ERG station) linking the city with Thrissur, Palakkad, Alappuzha and Kottayam. Thus, people from nearby districts and the suburbs need not come to already-congested Kochi city in private vehicles,” he said.

While the metro rail is a system of mass rapid transport, and will take its time to be built, the 22 acres of land owned by the Railways in the ERG station (with all infrastructure in place) can easily be developed into a hub for trains without any land acquisition, he said.

Gandhian V. P. G. Marar spoke of the need to take up peaceful modes of agitations to renovate the station and railway lines and to bring the station to its past glory.

The chairman of the Ernakulam Old Railway Station Vikasana Samity M. R. Rajendran Nair presided. He said that the congestion on city roads, especially on either side of the North and South overbridges can be reduced if people are able to directly reach the western parts of the city (the ERG station is on the city's western end) in trains. “This would also decongest the city when the North bridge is demolished and vehicles are diverted through alternative roads. The station can be reached by rail from Edapally in 15 minutes whereas it takes more than double the time to reach by road. Apart from time, commuters save money and fuel.”

The under-utilised Harbour Terminus station too can be used to berth trains and service/repair them, said the Pourasamity's joint convener K. Ramamritham. It has space to house ticket- reservation counters also, he said.

http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Kochi/article2414963.ece

Lobbying started for Kochi city Suburban and Commuter Rail:cheers:

Wow! This is the best news! The Metro would take some time to come - but the railways can renovate the ERG Terminus and get trains running in much shorter time. The location of ERG makes it the best point to base suburban trains - however, trains towards ALLP/KTYM cannot start from here - unless they create somekind of facility for trains from ERG to run towards ERN.

Wow! This is the best news! The Metro would take some time to come - but the railways can renovate the ERG Terminus and get trains running in much shorter time. The location of ERG makes it the best point to base suburban trains - however, trains towards ALLP/KTYM cannot start from here - unless they create somekind of facility for trains from ERG to run towards ERN.

The action councils are asking for running it thro' current rail lines. There are so many abandon lines connecting between ERG to regular line, say the one that run parallel to Tatapuram-Pachalam road etc.....

But two major issues are there. One is that, current lines are saturated to almost 200% and running MEMUs would only increase it..... Perhaps it can be solved to some extend, if ABS is introduced....

Secondly, the railways have never been so kind enough to Kerala, to gifts many projects. Even those MEMUs offered to us has not yet started its service, which itself is delayed to more than 2 1/2 years. In such a context, it would be more difficult to get Commuter rail, unless some regional party like Kerala Congress either gets a major say in Center govt or any of them becoming RAIL MANTRI.... Both are unlikely in any logical thinking....

So it may not become a reality, unless God and fate think otherwise

If everything goes according to plan, Kochi corporation will activate its defunct water metro system which once connected the city to its outskirts.

The water metro project which has the support of the state government, proposes to revive the canal systems with the help of the irrigation department which will de-silt seven major canals and strengthen their retaining walls to ensure that floodwaters are drained into Kochi backwaters. The city has a reputation of being flooded when there are heavy showers.

The move could come as a blessing for the cash-strapped Kochi corporation which says that it could cost Rs 75 lakh a year for de-silting the Thevara-Perandoor canal. According to corporation officials, it could cost the civic body at least Rs 7 crore-a-year to clean these canals. A considerable amount will also be required to maintain the retaining walls.There are about 25 canals in the city and five major ones, identified under the water metro project, will be made navigable in the hope that that would ease the traffic on roads.

http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2011-09-03/kochi/30110012_1_canals-kochi-corporation-metro

The action councils are asking for running it thro' current rail lines. There are so many abandon lines connecting between ERG to regular line, say the one that run parallel to Tatapuram-Pachalam road etc.....


There aren't "many" lines connecting ERG to the regular line - just one, the one which takes off from the regular line near Lourde Hospital and running through Tatapuram, ending at ERG. Although ERG has the advantage of sitting right in the heart of the city, it cannot connect to the Kottayam-Alappuzha side - for that the trains would have to reverse at Edappalli, or the railways would have to lay a small spur of line around Pachalam LC, to connect the ERG line to the lines towards ERS/KTYM/ALLP. But this is very difficult to accomplish.


But two major issues are there. One is that, current lines are saturated to almost 200% and running MEMUs would only increase it..... Perhaps it can be solved to some extend, if ABS is introduced....


200%?? The Saturation is around 120~150%. The biggest problem with the railway lines in Kerala is that we have very very long block sections. Shorter sections, with Automatic Signalling in places wherever possible will solve the issue to a huge extent.


Secondly, the railways have never been so kind enough to Kerala, to gifts many projects. Even those MEMUs offered to us has not yet started its service, which itself is delayed to more than 2 1/2 years.


Why blame the railways here? Have the public co-operated with a single expansion project?? The Guruvayur-Thirunavaya line is being so vehemently opposed, as if the line would abolish the affected people from the earth. We have the tendency to oppose any new project - there is no point blaming the railways for that.

The state government never co-operates with the railways on land acquisition, even survey!

It was the state government which played a huge role in delaying the Palakkad Coach Factory for so long. The same government delayed LA for doubling works.

The delay in running MEMU services however defies all logics - I wonder what keeps the railways in delaying them from so long. The rake could've been run on 6 days a week, and taken to Erode ELS for maintenance on weekends for now. Palakkad MEMU shed is already commissioned, but no rakes have been allotted.

^^^^

Thanks for the information....Yes, public is too never co-operative to railways. Perhaps, the biggest problem associated with railways is that, it separtes land into two, making it difficult to connect each side....In a densely populated state like Kerala, its an herculan task to construct N Number of flyovers/ROBS and other things like that.....

Perhaps, in future, railways should think of elevated or underground rails over existing rails network, rather thinking for more acquisitions.....Or otherwise, acquisitions should be planned for another 100 years of development, which never happens in a country like India.

I believe, Commuter rail always have an edge in a city like Kochi than Metro as such. We don't have huge intra-city population, rather strong floating population from other cities. Even a dedicated EMU Rail can make sense for a city like Kochi, though it will take more time due to acquisition issues.

The decision to terminate long-distance services at the Vyttila Mobility Hub from Monday has been postponed as the authorities are yet to chalk out a plan to re-route buses. The authorities have not received Kerala State Road Transport Corporation's (KSRTC) nod in this matter.

Since many long-distance KSRTC buses coming to Ernakulam from southern districts pass through Thoppumpady Bridge and enter the city, re-routing them through Vyttila requires KSRTC's consent.

"The Regional Transport Authority (RTA) is holding a meeting in this regard. We have not come to any conclusions. We have approached KSRTC and we expect to hear from them soon. Also private buses will terminate services at the mobility hub," said Regional Transport Officer, TJ Thomas. He also said that the new date for re-routing services will be announced later. He said there was public demand not to discontinue bus services through Thoppumpady as this would isolate West Kochi. "We will have to retain at least 25 per cent of buses plying through this route," he said. Vyttila Mobility Hub MD M Beena said that there was a need to ensure sufficient feeder buses to transport people from the hub to the city. "We have decided to permit KSRTC's ordinary buses and private services to enter the city. We will have to approach KSRTC if we need more feeder buses," she said.

She said that once long-distance buses terminate their services, present bus stops at Vyttila junction will be closed. "People planning to take a bus from Vyttila to Cherthala and Alappuzha side as well as Aluva will have to catch their bus from the hub. The stops at Vyttila for buses heading towards Thrippunithura, Kottayam and Vaikom directions will also be closed," she said.

It was earlier decided that buses entering the hub could enter the Vyttila-Petta Road through the newly laid road. Besides, parking of private vehicles will be permitted in the hub to enable people to reach the place and take public transport.

Buses heading to the city from Kottayam, Vaikom, Piravom, and Muvattupuzha via Thrippunithura will terminate at the hub. Buses heading from southern districts will proceed through Vyttila bypass and enter Ernakulam end their service at the hub. Buses from northern districts will proceed through Edappally bypass and terminate at the hub.

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/kochi/Re-route-plan-awaits-KSRTC-nod/articleshow/9864507.cms

The decision to terminate long-distance services at the Vyttila Mobility Hub from Monday has been postponed as the authorities are yet to chalk out a plan to re-route buses. The authorities have not received Kerala State Road Transport Corporation's (KSRTC) nod in this matter.

Since many long-distance KSRTC buses coming to Ernakulam from southern districts pass through Thoppumpady Bridge and enter the city, re-routing them through Vyttila requires KSRTC's consent.

"The Regional Transport Authority (RTA) is holding a meeting in this regard. We have not come to any conclusions. We have approached KSRTC and we expect to hear from them soon. Also private buses will terminate services at the mobility hub," said Regional Transport Officer, TJ Thomas. He also said that the new date for re-routing services will be announced later. He said there was public demand not to discontinue bus services through Thoppumpady as this would isolate West Kochi. "We will have to retain at least 25 per cent of buses plying through this route," he said. Vyttila Mobility Hub MD M Beena said that there was a need to ensure sufficient feeder buses to transport people from the hub to the city. "We have decided to permit KSRTC's ordinary buses and private services to enter the city. We will have to approach KSRTC if we need more feeder buses," she said.

She said that once long-distance buses terminate their services, present bus stops at Vyttila junction will be closed. "People planning to take a bus from Vyttila to Cherthala and Alappuzha side as well as Aluva will have to catch their bus from the hub. The stops at Vyttila for buses heading towards Thrippunithura, Kottayam and Vaikom directions will also be closed," she said.

It was earlier decided that buses entering the hub could enter the Vyttila-Petta Road through the newly laid road. Besides, parking of private vehicles will be permitted in the hub to enable people to reach the place and take public transport.

Buses heading to the city from Kottayam, Vaikom, Piravom, and Muvattupuzha via Thrippunithura will terminate at the hub. Buses heading from southern districts will proceed through Vyttila bypass and enter Ernakulam end their service at the hub. Buses from northern districts will proceed through Edappally bypass and terminate at the hub.

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/kochi/Re-route-plan-awaits-KSRTC-nod/articleshow/9864507.cms

Soon our bypass going to be a real city road and also a busy bus route

Soon our bypass going to be a real city road and also a busy bus route

It already is! I've often traveled through Vyttila-Kadavanthra-Kathrikadavu-Kaloor-Palarivattom-Edappally, and reached faster than coming via the bypass, especially during evening hours!

But with the VMH getting fully live, the bypass would be a dreaded road!

I hope buses from perumbavoor and muvattupuzha passing through kakkanad-palarivattom are allowed to halt at kaloor bus stand. I was told these buses are also asked to stop services at VMH while taking left from Palarivattom signal.

personal opinion though :)

Soon our bypass going to be a real city road and also a busy bus route

Its already a city road..... Typically in Kerala, its least possible to afford a real byepass, as every byepass will convert sooner or later into a city road. We all know, in 1925, MG Road too was part of Cochin State Highway and later in 1960, it was declared as part of NH 47, which is now rechristen as part of NH 47A (don't know whether its still part of NH 47 or not). Then came Byepass to become NH 47. Now within a year or so, that tag will move out to some other road

Ideally a byepass must be completely access controlled with barren reserves areas, to halt it becoming a city road. This is not possible in Kerala. So the only alternatives are either construct an elevated/underground byepass or continue the practice of shifting byepass to new roads after every 4 decades.

Ideally the best byepass route is to construct a long bridge from Aroor to South Paravur (near Udayamperoor) via Aroorkooty, Perumbalam island and redevelop SP/AP road as city byepass.... Already SP/AP road is going to be 4 laned road and this will reduce traffic moving from South Kerala, particularly Alleppey side to move to city outskirts without getting into traffic congestion.

In addition, if the elevated Aroor-Edappally Highway is still on cards, it will be a major boon for non-city based traffic to move....

Auto drivers' unions in the city have joined hands with the Regional Transport Authority (RTA) to book autorickshaws plying without city permit. The RTA has also decided to crack the whip on unauthorised autorickshaw stands that have sprung up within the city limits.

As the authorities do not have the exact data of autorickshaws operating in the city, regional transport officer T J Thomas said, "The initial step is to collect details of autorickshaws which have city permit. There are only a few approved stands and there is a requirement to find out how many autos can be accommodated in each stand."

He said that he would seek the assistance of traffic police to carry out checking of autos. The lack of manpower to enforce the decision would be a major hindrance in making the drive successful. "I will approach the police to find out whether this is feasible or not," he said.

Various unions of auto drivers had also agreed to cooperate with the initiative as they felt that many vehicles from neighbouring municipalities and panchayats were operating in the Kochi corporation's limits.

K R Saju, secretary, Auto Drivers' Federation said that as per the rough estimates available with them, there were about 12,000 autorickshaws in the corporation's limit. "New permits are not issued. There are about 100 authorized auto stands."

He said that they couldn't entertain autos from neighbouring localities in the city as that would increase the number of vehicles and reduce the number of trips, especially return trips.

The minimum charge for autorickshaw journey is fixed at Rs 12 and for every next kilometre, the charge is fixed at Rs 7. "In the current circumstances, it is difficult to get a return trip. So, most drivers end up asking for additional charges from the customer. The charges indicated on the metre do not include the fare of the return trip," he said.

He said that if autos which have city permits were allowed to park at stands adjacent to passengers' destination, then it would be beneficial for both passengers and auto drivers.

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/kochi/RTA-to-crack-whip-on-autos-plying-without-city-permit/articleshow/9878850.cms

Transport Minister V S Sivakumar has said the state government would start new endeavours in association with the Central Government for improving the transport facilities in the state. Flagging off a Thiru-Kochi bus started in the Thuthiyoor-Ernakulam route on Tuesday, Sivakumar said the KSRTC would start new services in proportion to its growth rate.

The preliminary steps in this regard have been initiated, he said. To ease the traffic woes of the public, the KSRTC will purchase 1,000 more buses. Of these, 500 buses will start services soon, Sivakumar said.

The KSRTC has achieved 10 percent growth over the last fiscal, the Minister said. Around 890 services of KSRTC had been generating loss. Three Thiru-Kochi buses have been allotted in the Thuthiyoor-Ernakulam route. It is the first of the three buses that was flagged off on Tuesday. Benny Behanan MLA presided over the meeting. Thrikkakara municipal chairman P A Mohammed Ali and councillor Noushad Pallachi spoke.

http://ibnlive.in.com/news/state-centre-to-improve-transport-facilities/181997-60-121.html

Flagging off a Thiru-Kochi bus started in the Thuthiyoor-Ernakulam route on Tuesday, Sivakumar said the KSRTC would start new services in proportion to its growth rate.


This new service was flagged off by cancelling on bus on the Gosree route! Even the buses running on the Thevara-Container Road-Aluva route were started after cancelling buses on the Gosree Route.

Interestingly, about 5 Thirukochi buses are with Ankamaly depot, running routes like Aluva-Ankamaly and Ankamaly-Chalakkudy!

After Mobility Hub, the next major bus project for Kochi will be Aluva Central Bus terminal cum Shopping Mall project.:banana::banana:

The KSRTC is planning to redevelop the current Aluva KSRTC Bus station into a modern Bus Terminal along with a shopping Mall, to garner more revenues for the cash strapped organization. To study about the proposal, the Transport Minister Shivakumar himself will be visiting the depot on the last week of this month

This was initimated to Aluva MLA Anwar Sadath. There are plans to make Aluva as major station for all inter-city/inter state services, to reduce congestion at Kochi.

Since land availability is a problem, there are plans to shift the workshop/garage to a new location, for improved usage of the facility.

http://www.manoramaonline.com/cgi-bin/MMOnline.dll/portal/localContentView.do?tabId=16&contentId=10012901&district=Cochin&programId=1079897613&BV_ID=@@@

So ending all speculations and unconfirmed reports, the District Collector- Sheik Pareek, who is also the head of Goshree Islands Development Authority (GIDA), announced the launch of GIDA Ferry services, connecting various islands of Kochi with the mainland. :banana::banana:

The first service will be launched in next 6 months time, with its own state-of-the-art boat, costing Rs 1.46 crore. The boat will boost some of the latest safety and comfort features and will have two decks. The lower deck will be No-Frills, meant for ordinary passengers, while the upper deck will be air-conditioned with more luxurious seating and viewing options. In addition, a viewer's deck will be available for upper deck passengers, mainly aiming high profile tourists and passengers of upper strata. Around 75 passengers can be catered at a time. The boat is capable for even travelling in depth less than 2 meters and fitted latest anchoring devices to anchor the boat in times of rough sea and high tides

There will be 4 services per day for initial days to check the response of public and will be increased demanding upon demand. Initially there will be only one boat for the services, which shall be increased depending upon the success of the project.

The boat service will be a primary services to study upon commercial prospects of proposed Kochi Water Metro. If found successful, this model shall be extended for Kochi Ferry Services, connecting various parts of city, which aims for reduction of road congestion and increased public transportation options.

The Collector also intimated that Airport-Seaport Waterway routes are under commercial-environmental study and will be soon commissioned, based on study reports. He also informed that more routes are planned between Kochi-Kakkanad and Kochi-Paravur sides.

The collector said that once the Waterway 3 is commissioned, more inter-cities water routes will be commissioned with Kochi as primary base. He was hinting on the immense potential of Kochi-Alapuzha and Kochi-Kottayam services.

(The report came in today's Metro Manorama and Manorama TV Kochi News)

http://www.thehindu.com/multimedia/dynamic/00775/13TVFL_Muziris_heri_775039f.jpg
The remains of the Kottappuram (Kodungalloor) Fort built by the Portugese in 1523 overlooking the Periyar near its mouth

Visitors to the Muziris heritage site located off Kodungalloor would be able to take a boat tour of the locale that abuts the waterway, in another six months.

The Kerala Shipping and Inland Navigation Corporation (KSINC) has set in motion work to construct five of the 14 boat jetties envisaged to enable visitors to check out the heritage and excavation site in an eco-friendly way, without causing air and sound pollution. “The five jetties would be ready by March 2012, while the rest would be built by March 2013,” said Captain (retd.) C. Unnikrishnan, the corporation's MD.

The Rs. 4.60 crore estimated to be the cost of constructing the 14 jetties would come from the 12th Finance Commission. The jetties that would be built initially are the ones at North Paravur, Kottayil Kovilakom, Paliam Krishna temple, Kottappuram market and Kottappuram fort. The roofed jetties would link the historic temples, churches, mosques and synagogues in the area. “There would also be a ticket counter, waiting area for guests etc.,” Captain Unnikrishnan said.

Asked whether the KSINC would operate boats on the route, he said that orders would have to be placed for a few boats that can ply at a speed of 6 to 10 knots per hour (each knot is 1.8 km).

Boats would be able to call at Pattanam, Kodungalloor, Pallipuram Fort, and Gothuruth, when more jetties are built in phase two.

BICYCLES

While boats would ferry visitors through the waterway, bicycles would take them from one place to another on land. “This is part of the ‘green archeology' concept that is sensitive to heritage and ecological issues. People can donate bicycles for the venture and we have already got 40 of them,” said the director of Kerala Council of Historical Research P. J. Cherian. He can be contacted at 98474 49495.

“Our aim is to minimise the number of motorised vehicles entering the heritage site where most of the local residents depend on bicycles to move around.”

This is the trend the world over, where some sites have battery-operated vehicles, he said.

http://www.thehindu.com/template/1-0-1/gfx/logo-footer.gif (http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Kochi/article2431758.ece)

Long-distance private and Kerala State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) buses that operate through the bus stands in the city will ply through the Vytilla bus terminal-cum-mobility hub from Monday.

This will coincide with the three-day trial diversion of light motor vehicles using the North Overbridge through alternative roads. The trial traffic diversion will begin on Monday.

Under the proposal that was ratified by the Regional Transport Authority (RTA), all buses that cover over 140 km in each trip and terminate their services in the bus stands in the city or pass through them would from Monday be either based at the Vytilla bus terminal-cum-mobility hub or pass through it. This is expected to reduce traffic congestion in the city's central region where the two main bus stands - the KSRTC main bus stand and the Kaloor private bus stand - are located.

The numerous long-distance KSRTC buses that now pass through congested city roads and Thoppumpady can save at least an hour on running time per trip and also considerable amount of fuel once they begin to use the NH bypass to reach the mobility hub.

Managing director of the Vytilla Mobility Hub Society M. Beena said that the KSRTC had been asked to operate feeder buses from the hub to the city for the benefit of commuters who intended to reach areas west of the bypass. “This will be in addition to the existing Vytilla-Vytilla circular buses. Long-distance passengers will be able to get connection buses to their destination from the hub itself,” she said.

The RTA decision is to permit private limited stop, fast passenger and super express buses to operate from the Vytilla hub. While buses proceeding to Tripunithura from the city will call at the hub, those coming from Tripunithura to the city will not enter the hub. These buses will be provided stop near the temple at Vytilla Junction.

Mofussil buses from places such as Thalayolaparambu, Vaikom, Piravom, Muvattupuzha, Cherthala, Perumbavoor, Kodungalloor and so on would continue to be based at the Kaloor bus stand.

THOPPUMPADY ROUTE

KSRTC's long-distance (mainly superfast) buses will be diverted through the bypass from Monday. For providing connectivity to West Kochi, 25 fast-passenger buses will ply through the existing M.G. Road-Thoppumpady route daily.

Fifty per cent of the KSRTC buses on the Guruvayur-Ernakulam route will operate from the Vytilla hub and will be re-routed through the bypass, while the rest will continue to operate from the Ernakulam Boat Jetty stand of KSRTC.

Ernakulam Regional Transport Officer T.J. Thomas said that the KSRTC had promised to make arrangements at the neighbouring bus depots to refuel the buses that would be diverted through the hub. “The Mobility Hub Society has promised to provide land in the hub for the KSRTC to set up a fuel station and office, but this will take some time.”

He added that buses would cease to stop at two bus stops at Vytilla Junction from Monday, and would instead call at the hub. They are the bus stops near the entry to the Kaniyampuzha Road and the one south of Vytilla Junction, where Alappuzha-bound KSRTC and private buses used to stop.

“We have asked the KSRTC to operate Thiru-Kochi and low-floor buses from the hub to the city. Mini buses can ideally conduct service through roads parallel to arterial roads and also side roads, thus boosting public transport,” Mr. Thomas said.

On a trial basis, only heavy vehicles would be permitted beyond the Thykoodam ‘Cupola' Junction on the Pettah-Vytilla Road on Monday.

Other vehicles should either take a left turn from the Cupola or use the Power House Road to join the NH Bypass.

http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Kochi/article2444321.ece

Out and Out, this decision would be affection KSRTC alone. Private buses would continue their high-handedness in the city!! I am not sure if this would help in reducing any kind of congestion.

This is expected to reduce traffic congestion in the city's central region where the two main bus stands - the KSRTC main bus stand and the Kaloor private bus stand - are located.


This decision would desert the KSRTC bus station, but how would "reduce traffic congestion" at Kaloor? All the buses that currently call on Kaloor bus station would continue to do so! So where exactly is the traffic being reduced here??


The numerous long-distance KSRTC buses that now pass through congested city roads and Thoppumpady can save at least an hour on running time per trip and also considerable amount of fuel once they begin to use the NH bypass to reach the mobility hub.


KSRTC buses surely would save on their running time, and so would they save fuel - but they also stand to lose their passengers. Especially buses running towards Kottayam side!

Mofussil buses from places such as Thalayolaparambu, Vaikom, Piravom, Muvattupuzha, Cherthala, Perumbavoor, Kodungalloor and so on would continue to be based at the Kaloor bus stand.


Excellent! So where did you reduce the traffic?

Fifty per cent of the KSRTC buses on the Guruvayur-Ernakulam route will operate from the Vytilla hub and will be re-routed through the bypass, while the rest will continue to operate from the Ernakulam Boat Jetty stand of KSRTC.


Again - another move squarely aimed at KSRTC passengers. I see this as another move to help private buses than reduce traffic congestion. Why on earth are KSRTC buses being discriminated? Private buses continue to call on the city, while KSRTC buses are required to run through the periphery of the city.

Binai, Kaloor is connected by roads wide enough and capacious enough in comparison with the KSRTC stands, either the central station, or Boat Jetty. So, if you move ops out, first preference should be for KSRTC.

Binai, Kaloor is connected by roads wide enough and capacious enough in comparison with the KSRTC stands, either the central station, or Boat Jetty. So, if you move ops out, first preference should be for KSRTC.

I don't agree to your logic at all. In fact, Kaloor bus stand is a much bigger mess than KSRTC Bus Station - The traffic at KSRTC Bus Stand does not have a bearing on the main road traffic - because they are away from the main road. (KSRTC operations at Jetty is small. Buses other than those to Varapuzha side are handled near Ernakulathappan ground)

On the other hand, Kaloor bus station is location right on the main road - a block inside Kaloor bus station chokes up the entire stretch from Palarivattom to Kaloor - the Kathrikadavu-Kaloor section is another nightmare if there is some problem at Kaloor.

Instead, moving out mofussil operations from Kaloor should have been the first priority and not KSRTC. Moving long distance operations of KSRTC is a good move - but moving KSRTC mofussil operations and keeping private operations is not at all a good move - this is a one sided move that would increase losses of KSRTC.

Kochi/Ernakulam traffic woes is not because of buses but because of lots of four wheelers that ply through the city. So by moving few buses from KSRTC bus stand will it reduce the traffic congestion?

Kochi/Ernakulam traffic woes is not because of buses but because of lots of four wheelers that ply through the city. So by moving few buses from KSRTC bus stand will it reduce the traffic congestion?
it is the belief, authorities have. moffusil bus passengers actually benefits when the buses enter city or kaloor at the least. they celebrate bus day and what not to attract people to use bus service. otoh, buses in immediate neighbourhood(<50kms) denied entry to kaloor stand for the sake of VMH? Earlier, they banned moffusil buses from kakkanad route to halt at south station. does chittur road traffic improved drastically by the removal of 20 moffusil buses(Kothamangalam,Muvattupuzha,Perumbavoor)? Now I fear VMH will add to the trouble of Moffusil Passengers.

I believe, authorities are in denial that red city buses are to be tamed first before denying entry to buses from centres close to ernakulam. make VMH the centre for Red Buses and ThiruKochi services. spare Moffusil Services.

I see this as another move to help private buses than reduce traffic congestion. Why on earth are KSRTC buses being discriminated? Private buses continue to call on the city, while KSRTC buses are required to run through the periphery of the city.


very true. The entire circus of this so-called traffic diversion is solely aimed at benefiting vested interests, such as private bus operators and Bye Pass Real Estate/Business mafia, to name a few.

The proposal to reserve the remaining portion of North ROB for busses, when at present this is not the case is a clear indication of the hold of the private bus lobby.

KSRTC busses can very well use the existing stand at Rajaji Road and enter/exit via Container Road without touching North ROB. This will also help to save running time by alteast 30 minutes, and ensure that West Kochi is not isolated (a genuine demand). To decongest North ROB, it is the city busses that have to use alternative roads. So what is the purpose of diverting KSRTC busses to an under-prepared VMH and add to the already high level of congestion at Vytilla?

ON a related note, of late I see very few Thiru-Kochi / Venad busses on the roads these days. I used to see a lot more of these busses when the LDF was in power.

The latest decision to allow cars, along with busses and other heavy vehicles through North ROB is a welcome move. It will still cause congestion, but people will now have the choice of using Pulleppady ROB (not that it would help much considering the state of the approach roads) / Container Road, and as more people exercise such options, congestion will hopefully be within manageable limits.

I'm however still of the opinion that either approach road to Pulleppady ROB or Saleem Rajan-KSRTC ROB should be completed first before starting work on North ROB. After all even the final alignment of the metro rail is not a done deal as of now, leave alone the formal approval.

I believe, authorities are in denial that red city buses are to be tamed first before denying entry to buses from centres close to ernakulam. make VMH the centre for Red Buses and ThiruKochi services. spare Moffusil Services.

Moving ALL moffussil services to VMH is a good idea - that is exactly how things should work. Moffussil buses should be terminated on the outskirts of the city, and only city buses should run through the city - but as mentioned earlier, ALL moffussil services should be moved - not selectively as is the case now.

Kaloor - once devoid of moffussil buses - can be used as a good base for city buses. A good number of buses empty at Kaloor - and a new set of passengers join in. This is the case in all directions. They can converted Kaloor into a base for all city buses - except a few, all city buses should terminate at Kaloor.

There is no point in shifting city buses to Kaloor - it would serve no purpose, other than make then inaccessible to city commuters, and would increase the load on moffussil buses.

In keeping with plans to reconstruct the Ernakulam North Rail Over Bridge (RoB) for the proposed Metro rail project, a trial-run for diversion of vehicles will be carried out on Monday. As per the arrangement, auto rickshaws, motor cycles and other light goods vehicles will not be allowed to pass through the North Over Bridge between 8 am to 8 pm. However buses, cars and other heavy vehicles will be permitted through the North RoB, according to Kochi City traffic Police authorities.


From Palarivattam side to MG Road:

Two wheelers, auto rickshaws and light goods vehicles will be diverted from Palarivattam to Thammanam. These vehicles will have to ply through Thammanam-Pulleppady Road to reach Pulleppady RoB. The other option is to take left from Kaloor International Stadium to reach Karanakkodam Junction on Thammanm Pulleppady Road. From Karanakkodam junction, turn right, pass through Kathrikkadavu underpass to reach Pulleppady RoB. Vehicles can also take a left turn from Kaloor Junction to reach Pulkleppady RoB via Kathrukkadavu.

All vehicles will have to pass Pulleppady RoB and turn left to reach Krishnaswamy Cross Road and enter M G Road via Chittoor Road.

Vehicles from Aluva:

Vehicles from Aluva and North Kalamassery can also use the Vallarppadam International Container Terminal Road to reach High Court junction.

Vehicles plying outside the city

The two-wheelers, three wheelers and light motor goods vehicles going out of the city to Kaloor-Edappally will be diverted from High Court Junction to Mathai Manjooran Road. The other option is to take a left turn from Kacherippady to Ayyappankavu for reaching Pachalam Railway gate and turn right to reach Pottakkuzhy Junction. From this point, turn left for Edappally and right for Kaloor. The other alternative is to take a diversion to Veekshanam Road near Chennai Silks showroom, MG Road to enter Chittoor Road and reach Pulleppady Junction. Turn left to reach C P Ummer Road. After crossing the Pulleppady Bridge, turn left to Bund Road and take the road next to St Francis Church to reach Kaloor Kadavanthra Road.

http://ibnlive.in.com/news/where-do-you-go/183241-60-122.html

Chaos and confusion prevailed at the Vytilla Mobility Hub on Monday as officials expressed their inability to provide details of the long distance buses that would pass through the hub. Though it was stated that all long distance buses heading towards Ernakulam would terminate at the hub, many buses including that of Kerala State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC), proceeded to the city thus giving passengers a tough time.

"There is lack of clarity regarding bus services that will enter the hub. Though buses from Northern districts enter the hub, those from Southern districts proceed through the highway. The regulations are applicable only to buses which terminate services at Vytilla," said Sunil Kumar, Station Master, KSRTC.

It was pointed out that long distance private buses that were heading toward Guruvayoor, Kozhikode and Kannur had been parked at the hub. Moreover, buses proceeding to Kottayam, Pala and Vaikom were also stationed at the hub. "Private buses that came from Cherthala went to the bus station at Kaloor. On returning, these buses entered the hub," added Sunil Kumar.

Passengers who had come to the hub to take KSRTC buses to go to places like Thrissur were asked to get back to the bus stop on the National Highway (NH). "I was told that all buses would come to the hub and there was no bus stop on the NH. But, when I checked with the station master, he asked me to take an auto and get back to the bus stop on the NH," said Thankamani, a senior-citizen, who had come to the city to get her pension.

The authorities had earlier announced that KSRTC would introduce more feeder buses to transport people from the hub to the city. There was no pre-paid auto facility available from the hub. "No new KSRTC services have been introduced. We operate regular services," said Sunil Kumar.

Private bus operators are also keen to analyze the feasibility of operating services through the hub. "It has increased our running time and we are waiting for the impact of these changes on our profits. If KSRTC operates more services, it will also affect our returns. We have posted people to collect data and the impact of all traffic diversions in the city," Suresh Oomen, secretary, Kerala Bus Transport Association.

Meanwhile, Regional Transport Officer, T J Thomas said that he had noticed certain flaws in the new system. "We are planning to introduce a one-way system to ease down traffic congestion at Vytilla-Tripunithura road." He confirmed the irregularities in the operations of KSRTC services and said, "The orders came late and the employees were not aware of it. This has been rectified."

Thomas said that more feeder buses would come in the following days and KSRTC would re-direct all long distance buses through the hub. "It has been decided to retain 25 buses through Thoppumpady, and all the rest will enter the hub." He said that further discussions would be held with various departments and officials on Tuesday.

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/kochi/Chaos-and-confusion-at-mobility-hub/articleshow/9962921.cms

It may come as a surprise that even a traffic chaos won't deter Kochiites to abandon their private vehicles and shift to public transport.

On a day when the authorities decided to try out the new traffic regulations in the wake of the proposal to raze the north overbridge, the denizens who are familiar with the alternative roads seemed comfortable driving their own vehicles.

Even though private buses were allowed to pass through the north overbridge, most of the residents in the city chose to travel in their own vehicles.

This came as a surprise to the bus operators too who were expecting a rise in the rush. "We were expecting a big crowd in the buses, as many were still not sure of the alternative roads. It seems the traffic diversions have not affected the public as everyone expected," says Ashraf, a bus conductor. :bash::bash::bash:

Radhakrishnan, who works in a private firm in Menaka, used his own vehicle to reach office. "I always use my car to reach office. Compared to the private buses that are congested in the peak hours, it makes me more comfortable," he said Radhakrishnan"

Though many of the locals preferred to use their own vehicles, some opted for the public transport system. Anish Sudhakar, an IT professional, used the private buses to reach office leaving his motorcycle behind. Anish, who preferred to travel on his motorcycle to reach his office in MG Road, opted for the public transport to avoid the traffic confusions and heavy rush.

Even though private buses were allowed to pass through the north overbridge, most of the residents in the city chose to travel in their own vehicles.

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/kochi/Thumbs-down-to-public-transport-despite-snarls/articleshow/9962934.cms

In spite of the successful trial run of the traffic on Monday, the police have sent a notification to the corporation authorities stating that no traffic regulations would be implemented until the roads in the diverted routes are repaired. The demolishing of the North Overbridge in a hurry is likely to throw the entire traffic in a mess and create a huge congestion, given the condition of the roads

Sources in the police said that the trial run was originally proposed for three days. But the police were forced to cut it short to a day bearing in mind the pathetic condition of the roads. The police commissioner M R Ajith Kumar has sent a communication to the Corporation heads stating that traffic regulation can only happen after roads are properly repaired. The police have refused to act on the proposed plans otherwise.

According to Assistant Traffic Commissioner Baby Vinod more than 100 police personnel were deployed in various parts of the city. The trial was a major success,but everyone recogonises that such regulations won’t work in the long-term unless a solution to the bad roads is sought.

“We had conducted a study about the traffic on North bridge earlier. We found that more than 60 per cent of the vehicles crossing the North overbridge are two and three wheelers. That’s why we diverted them alone,” Baby Vinod added.

Meanwhile sources in the Corporation alleged that such needless rush for a trial run was shown only because the Chief Minister is meeting the Prime Minister on September 22 where he would be submitting the report on the Metro Rail project. Town planning Chairman K J Sohan said that the town planning council had earlier recommended that any traffic regulation plans should be undertaken only after the roads are properly repaired.

“At first the Mayor had approved the recommendations made by the town planning council, but he changed his mind last month after discussing the matter with the Chief Minister. The main factor to consider is that the Corporation has no funds for such a massive project. The State Government has refused to give aid for several development projects in Kochi. The Corporation has taken loan from a private bank to pay the contractors for the project done last year.” K J Sohan said.

http://ibnlive.in.com/news/cops-put-their-foot-down/183597-60-122.html

This came as a surprise to the bus operators too who were expecting a rise in the rush.

This says it all. Vested interests and power-lobbies are holding the city to ransom in the guise of development.

This says it all. Vested interests and power-lobbies are holding the city to ransom in the guise of development.

Its always MG Road Lobby vs Suburb lobby.... Given a chance to choice which Lobby I support, I have no hesitation to consider Suburb lobby, to see my city growing leaps and bounds, rather concentrating inside MG Road....

Whatever be it, I saw for the first time in my life, other than hartal days, a peaceful bus journey from Kaloor to Padma side, which also happened to be my last day in the town.....

I feel, as long as agencies become stricter like on the trial day, public transportation will emerge successful, as no one will like to use cars continuously in chaos...

Vu3, what do you mean by that? The ROB doesn't need re-building?

Bus operators and four-wheeler owners might agree with what the City Police have in mind for diversion of traffic on North Railway Overbridge (ROB), but the two- and three-wheelers will have to drive an extra kilometre, for the cause of the greater common good.

The demolition and reconstruction of the North ROB could be completed with minimum vehicle diversion, shows the study done by City Police ahead of the 12-hour trial for traffic diversion of traffic on North ROB on Monday, which was an immense success.

The police ensured smooth flow of traffic all through the trial period by restricting only three and two-wheelers from using the bridge, while buses and four-wheelers were allowed to use it.

“This decision was taken after a thorough study of the flow of traffic along the bridge from August 30 to September 5. The study showed that the main bridge could be kept free by restricting smaller vehicles,” City Police Commissioner M.R. Ajith Kumar told The Hindu on Tuesday.

Policemen were posted at the entrance of the bridge to collect the figures of vehicles coming to and going out of the city through the bridge and samples were collected for every hour between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m.

“Before the study, we thought of implementing a dynamic traffic diversion, which will be implemented on the basis of the traffic flow. But the study showed it was better to have a system,” said Mr. Ajith Kumar.

Out of the 17,874 vehicles that entered the city on August 30 between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m., 8.35 per cent were buses, 33.65 per cent light motor vehicles, 24.43 per cent autorickshaws and 33.57 per cent two-wheelers and out of 17,378 vehicles that left the city on the that day during the same time frame, 7.92 per cent were buses, 33.39 per cent LMV, 24.36 per cent autorickshaws and 34.33 per cent two-wheelers. This pattern remained more or less the same all through the study period.

PEAK TRAFFIC

The traffic generally peaked between 8 a.m. and 11 a.m. and later in the day between 5 p.m. and 7 p.m.

But the figures also threw up some surprises for the City Police, as “the traffic along the bridge peaked during times we were not expecting,” said the Commissioner. While the number of buses using the bridge stuck to the peak hour patterns through the period, it varied for LMVs and smaller vehicles.

On the flip side, the City Police might have to face the wrath of the autorickshaw drivers and two-wheelers as the roads through which they are to be diverted continue to be in bad situation.

http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Kochi/article2452283.ece

Once the roads are fixed properly, I don't think people would complain about the diversion.

The 1km extra drive is true only if you are going to any place north of Padma. For destinations south of Padma, there is no difference. So, only a small number of vehicles will get the disadvantage.

Vu3, what do you mean by that? The ROB doesn't need re-building?

North ROB definitely requires re-building. If I had my way, I would have demolished the main bridge for an elevated road from Madhava Pharmacy Jn to Kaloor Stadium and rebuild the present side carriageways as a proper bridge; but that would be after fully completing Thammanam-Padma Road.

This was before my time, but from what I have heard, the original plan when North ROB was first constructed was to start from somewhere beyond Judges Avenue, but the Lissy Jn lobby scuttled the move and thanks to that we have this rather steep gradient that makes reconstruction a must!

I've always held the opinion that reconstruction should start only after completing of the approach road on Pulleppady ROB or the Saleem-Rajan ROB. Anyway diverting only 2/3 wheelers is far better than diverting cars, and a major reason why the trial run was a success.

My major opposition is to diverting everything else through substandard roads and allowing private busses virtual ownership of the bridge (I have no objection to KSRTC using VMH after facilities there including Vytilla flyover are complete). The other major opposition is to the series of unviable restrictions such as one-ways resultant from the diversion.

Another option would be for the metro to take a deviation from front of the Town Hall and rejoin the main road through Lissy Hospital Road, St Augustine School Road, Judges Avenue and Perendoor Canal. This way the metro work can proceed without disrupting the present traffic flow.

Given a chance to choice which Lobby I support, I have no hesitation to consider Suburb lobby, to see my city growing leaps and bounds, rather concentrating inside MG Road....


... given a chance I would ensure that both MG Road and suburbs get their fair due, without either one impeding the growth of the other. It's pretty obvious that the only way city can grow leap and bounds is by developing the suburbs. But for such developments, we need not try to kill off / strangle / freeze developments in MG Road.

Whatever be it, I saw for the first time in my life, other than hartal days, a peaceful bus journey from Kaloor to Padma side, which also happened to be my last day in the town.....

That is because you do not live here on a permanent basis. There are many such off-days / times when traffic is light.

A senior official from Railway construction wing said that the proposal to revive what was once the Ernakulam Railway Goods (ERG) station located behind the Kerala High Court is a welcome and practical one.

“The buildings in the 22-acre station and the broad gauge lines that link it with Edappally are intact despite years of disuse and can be revived with just a few repairs. There is no need for land acquisition either.

The presently-underutilised Harbour Terminus station (on Willingdon Island) too can be better utilised. The overhead electric lines from the city must be extended to both the stations so that electric locomotives too can call at/berth there,” he said.

The ERG station can become a hub for trains moving north of Ernakulam towards Shornur, thus decongesting the crowded Ernakulam Junction and Town railway stations. The station would also need a satellite maintenance terminal since service and repairs are currently done at the Kathrikadavu marshalling yard, which is located south-east of ERG station, the official said.

The Ernakulam Old Railway Station Vikasana Samithy recently stated that the congestion on city roads, especially on either side of the North and South overbridges can be reduced if people are able to directly reach the western parts of the city (the ERG station is on the city's western end) in trains. The station can be reached by rail from Edappally in 15 minutes whereas it takes more than double the time to reach by road.

http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/tp-kerala/article2454945.ece

Even without waiting for a satellite maintenance terminal, trains having secondary maintenance at Kochi (that is trains belong to other zones/divisions) can still use Old Railway Station.

The station requires a new name. It was simply "Ernakulam" and "Ernakulam Goods" before and is "Old Railway Station" now. I would suggest "Kochi Rama Varma Terminal" in memory of the king who sold off his gold elephant headgears to first lay the Kochi-Shoranur railway line.

http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/tp-kerala/article2454945.ece

Even without waiting for a satellite maintenance terminal, trains having secondary maintenance at Kochi (that is trains belong to other zones/divisions) can still use Old Railway Station.

The station requires a new name. It was simply "Ernakulam" and "Ernakulam Goods" before and is "Old Railway Station" now. I would suggest "Kochi Rama Varma Terminal" in memory of the king who sold off his gold elephant headgears to first lay the Kochi-Shoranur railway line.

I believe, ever since the news of Padmanabhaswamy temple gold deposits, there is renewed interest in positive aspects of Monarchy of Kerala..... Though Kochi Maharajas are not as famous/glamourous as Travancore Maharajas (as the rule of the state was primarily carried out by Diwans, making Kochi Rajas, nominal head of the state), still names like Sakthan Thampuran and Rajarishi Rama Varma are still widely respected.....

If we look, in Thrissur, even public toilets are named after Sakthan Thampuran..... (Joking yarr:))

But in Kochi, the seat of Kochi Maharajas, people trend to forget the great heritage and legacy that our kings laid to the city and society....:)

Even today, we are struggling to get one Sabari Rail Line, while the King showed the way, not just to Kochi, but to entire India, how state's interests has to be upholded, even selling his personal jewels and temple jewels.... Thank god, that time, we didn't have Kshetra Kshema Samathi and RSS to protest against King's decision for diverting Temple's treasures for building up one of Kerala's most busiest rail line, which is not possible today, as seen in Padmanabhaswamy temple's case....

I wish, the new terminal to renamed after the great Maharaja- Sri Rajarishi Rama Varma and wishes to see his statue, which is currently lying in dilapidated condition in Subash Park to move infront to the new terminal.

I believe, ever since the news of Padmanabhaswamy temple gold deposits, there is renewed interest in positive aspects of Monarchy of Kerala..... Though Kochi Maharajas are not as famous/glamourous as Travancore Maharajas (as the rule of the state was primarily carried out by Diwans, making Kochi Rajas, nominal head of the state), still names like Sakthan Thampuran and Rajarishi Rama Varma are still widely respected.....

If we look, in Thrissur, even public toilets are named after Sakthan Thampuran..... (Joking yarr:))

But in Kochi, the seat of Kochi Maharajas, people trend to forget the great heritage and legacy that our kings laid to the city and society....:)

Even today, we are struggling to get one Sabari Rail Line, while the King showed the way, not just to Kochi, but to entire India, how state's interests has to be upholded, even selling his personal jewels and temple jewels.... Thank god, that time, we didn't have Kshetra Kshema Samathi and RSS to protest against King's decision for diverting Temple's treasures for building up one of Kerala's most busiest rail line, which is not possible today, as seen in Padmanabhaswamy temple's case....

I wish, the new terminal to renamed after the great Maharaja- Sri Rajarishi Rama Varma and wishes to see his statue, which is currently lying in dilapidated condition in Subash Park to move infront to the new terminal.

If the debate for other names than of Ernakulam / Kochi starts it will end as some Gandhi or Nehru like our stadiums :lol:

http://malayalam.deepikaglobal.com/mainnews.asp?9%2F15%2F2011+7%3A00%3A07+AM#179565

If the debate for other names than of Ernakulam / Kochi starts it will end as some Gandhi or Nehru like our stadiums :lol:

There is absolute true. In Kochi, most of facilities are named after people who has remote or no connection with such projects.... The Park was a dream of Kochi Maharaja- Rajarishi Rama Varma. It was his pet project, that Kochi have its last green belt. Yet its named after Subash Chandra Bose and Indira Gandhi who has done nothing for building up the park. Subash's INA along with Japanese Air Force, once even threaten to air-raid Kochi, forcing British to have its own RAF Air Station in Kochi. Still we renamed our King's dream park into one's name who was all set to bombard Kochi.

Sir Robert Bristow, build a world class port that fuelled our city to progress, which we enjoy even today. Yet its named after Rajiv Gandhi, who rarely visited Kochi or lend support for Kochi's development....

Several Dutch commanders and Diwans of Kochi did more than what entire Indians did for our city. Yet we donot have any fitting memorials for such great visionaries who fuelled our city's real growth.

I am not saying, we should show Shiva Sena's over enthuasim to rename to Shivaji style in Kerala... Atleast Kochinites must have the same spirit of Thrissurians, who still name most of their public structures in memory of Kochi Kings.....

In keeping with the changing demands of security, three major railway stations in Kerala are going in for an Integrated Security System (ISS) which will take the level of security in the railway stations to a high-level.

The three stations that have been identified for implementation of the ISS are Thiruvananthapuram, Kochi and Kozhikode.

Though the proposal to heighten the security system at these railway stations has been on the cards for quite a long time, the authorities decided to expedite the procedures considering the rising threat perception and the possibility of sabotage attempts on trains.

State Railway Protection Force (RPF) Commissioner, K J Joy said that they had received all necessary approvals to implement the ISS in the three railway stations. "We have begun receiving various equipment to install the security devices at the stations. In the next six to eight months, we will begin the installation process and in a year, the stations will have security systems that are of high standards," the officer said.

He said that as part of the ISS, the stations will have high resolution surveillance cameras which will be integrated to a control room in the station. There will also be X-ray baggage screening systems and bomb-suppressing blankets as part of the ISS. For the first time, the RPF will use the under vehicle scanner to check the vehicle entering the railway premises.The same system will also be used for scanning the trains," the official said.

Apart from installing door frame metal detectors, the RPF officials will also be provided with hand held metal detectors and bomb detection and disposing kits.

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/kochi/Rlys-to-upgrade-security-systems/articleshow/10000039.cms

http://www.deccanchronicle.com/sites/default/files/imagecache/article_horizontal/article-images/16hub-1.jpg.crop_display.jpg

Commuters in the city heaved a sigh of relief on Thursday which saw little of the regular traffic blocks.

Long-distance buses skirted the city and ended their services at the Vyttila Mobility Hub starting Thursday.
As a result, the city was decongested and traffic movement was unusually smooth. Even inter-district long-distance buses passing through the district skipped the city.

There were complaints from passengers that they had to take another bus to enter the city. However, they seemed to see reason soon enough and took city buses to reach their destinations.

“The move to shift the operations was very timely considering the infrastructure projects happening in Kochi. This is very crucial for the pre-work of the Metro Rail project,” said Traffic Assistant Commissioner A R Prem Kumar.

The main reason for the traffic congestion in the city has been the poor condition of the roads which makes vehicles move at snail's pace.

“About 75 per cent of the traffic problem in Kochi could be solved by having good roads,” he said. Lack of sufficient employees in offices is another issue plaguing the traffic department.

http://www.deccanchronicle.com/channels/cities/kochi/commuters-find-hub-relief-125

Rajiv Gandhi Bus Terminus - Aluva

http://img21.imageshack.us/img21/3541/140920111433.jpg

Kochi will soon see Tourism oriented Hip-off Hip-on bus services from KTDC, as in many prominent destinations in India and other parts of world, for city and short sight-seeing.

The Tourism Department is planning to introduce hop-on hop-off services for short sightseeing trips to select destinations. Tourism Minister A P Anilkumar told reporters here that the basic idea of the service is to introduce small conducted tours within a city with more flexibility.

The conducted tours will be of a flexible nature. If one tourist for example, wants to spend a little more time at a particular place he would have the freedom to do so. Even if the bus he comes in leaves the place he can opt for another bus.

The service will be first introduced in Thiruvananthapuram, Alappuzha, Fort Kochi, Kochi backwaters and Munnar. Based on the success of the programme, in these cities, similar services will be launched in more places,he said.

He also announced the setting up of separate thematic museums to showcase the diverse natural and cultural heritage of the state. The Department of Tourism will extend financial support for starting 10 such museums within a period of 10 years.

The museums are being set up as part of the Muziris and Thalasserry heritage projects, he said. He also announced a fast track clearance project to facilitate speedy clearance of the tourism projects with investment above Rs 10 crore.

The Tourism Department will initiate discussions with political parties and trade unions to exempt tourism sector from hartals which caused serious inconvenience and loss in terms of money and time to tourists visiting the state.

http://ibnlive.in.com/news/tourism-department-plans-novel-schemes/184716-60-116.html

Long-distance buses skirted the city and ended their services at the Vyttila Mobility Hub starting Thursday. As a result, the city was decongested and traffic movement was unusually smooth. Even inter-district long-distance buses passing through the district skipped the city.

Today, even with KSRTC returning to the city as before, traffic is still unusually smooth. These days, i.e. the immediate aftermath of the Onam cannot be generalized.

Today, even with KSRTC returning to the city as before, traffic is still unusually smooth. These days, i.e. the immediate aftermath of the Onam cannot be generalized.

Excuse me.. KSRTC has NOT returned to the City! KSRTC actually used this opportunity to introduce their long pending plan of diverting the long distance buses via the bypass! All long distance buses (Super Fast and above) continue to run via the bypass between 8AM and 8PM. These buses would call on at the KSRTC bus station only between 8PM and 8AM.

Only Fast Passengers buses, and the Ordinary/LS Ordinary buses running to nearby places are running to the KSRTC Bus Station. Even the Guruvayur-Ernakulam Jetty Chain service has been split into three:
1. Via Container road
2. Via the old route i.e., Edappally-Palarivattom-Kaloor-Menaka
3. Via bypass, terminating at Vyttila!!!

I had been to KSRTC bus station today, and it bore a deserted look - only local buses are running (with the exception of long distance buses originating from EKM).

However there is no reduction in number of passengers coming there! A few passenger I ran into were of the opinion that the shift to Vyttila came at a good moment - they are infact enjoying the benefits of having a traffic free road. A friend in Trivandrum called up today to say that all buses are reaching there on time, and the crew are happy about the diversion through the bypass - they are saving 1-1:30 hrs!!!

Ernakulam city is likely to get another railway station.:banana::banana:

Tfcjb6rBtn8
watch the first news story

The Railway Advisor PDT Achari made a visit to Ponnurunni (near Vytilla) gathered public opinion for starting Ponnurunni Suburban Station, which can have direct connectivity to Vytilla Mobility Hub.

The railways has 103 acres in the place, which is currently not in use and remaining idle. The Advisor is convinced about the prospects of Railway station and being close to Kerala's largest and only one Multi-modal Transportation hub- Vytilla Mobility Hub, the station can decongest traffic in the city to a great extent.

I think, there is enough scope for a Kochi Suburban Rail Network, especially when there are several stations, scattered around the Greater Kochi regions.

Anyways, its nice to see some new stations are likely or in process of coming up such as

1. Ernakulam Old Railway Station- ERG
2. CGHTS- Cochin Terminus
3. Mattancherry Halt
4. Nedumbassery Airport Railway station
5. Vytilla Rail Station

and a several stations which were under stages of renovations like

1. Edappally
2. Nettoor
3. Kumbalam
4. Kalamasserry
5. Tripunithara

Along with Aluva, Angamally, and few other stations like Paravur, it can form a Kochi city rail. Ofcourse, its a dream!!! And hope one day it will happen.....

The Mayor Tony Chammany announced the opening of Fort Kochi Bus station on November 1st 2011. The corporation, which owns the land where the old bus stand once stood, would be renovated with proper bus shelters, a petrol bunk, an e-toilet as well as with few shopping and souvenir shops.

If the efforts of people's representatives go down well with the Ministry of Railways, then Kochi will get a suburban rail network and Electrical Multiple Units (EMU). As part of the efforts to decongest traffic on mainlines and enhancing short-distance rail services, passenger associations, resident associations and merchant community have come together to push for suburban trains.

Addressing media persons on Saturday, member of parliament, P Rajeev said that he would take up the issue of introducing EMU during the high-level discussion to be held on Monday with minister for railways, Dinesh Trivedi.

Though the priority would be given for operations of more Mainline Electrical Multiple Units (MEMU) linking Ernakulam to both southern and northern districts, people's representatives from Ernakulam would insist on EMU's taking into account the needs that would originate in future.

He also said that EMU would be a long-term project as it would require dedicated lines. In the proposal that would be submitted before the minister, the focus would be on projects requiring minimum land acquisition and displacement of men and material. "We want the Railways to develop the Ernakulam Railway Goods (ERG) station (old railway station) into a suburban hub, where operations of regular trains, MEMU and EMU can converge," he said.

The ERG station, Cochin Harbour Terminus and Mattercherry Halt rail station have to be revamped for the purpose. In addition to these a proposal would be put before the Railway to extend lines to Mundamveli to facilitate movement of passengers from Fort Kochi.

Rajeev said that the Railway should give importance for application of Automatic Block Signalling (ABS) system as it could increase the efficiency of available lines. "The present signalling system can regulate three trains per hour, whereas ABS can facilitate the movement of 10 trains per hour," he added.

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/kochi/Kochi-to-press-for-suburban-rail-network/articleshow/10025218.cms

The Ernakulam Railway Goods station (old railway station) situated behind the Kerala High Court should be renovated and converted into a hub for suburban trains, P. Rajeev, MP, has said. This could also be used as a multi-mode interchanging hub for urban transport.

Mr. Rajeev was addressing reporters here on Saturday.

Trains could call at the station once the station building was renovated and railway lines lying north-east of it were repaired and electrified.

“The benefits will be manifold. Apart from reducing congestion on the city roads, this will also reduce congestion at the main railway stations in Ernakulam. More passenger services can be operated from the old railway station to nearby districts,” he said. The Railways will be able to begin mainline electrical multiple unit (MEMU) services from here to Palakkad, Shornur and Thrissur.

Mr. Rajeev also called upon the Railways to develop the underutilised Harbour Terminus railway station in Willingdon Island, and to extend the line up to Mundamveli. The section should be electrified as well. This would enable the extension of suburban services to these areas, in turn, reducing the congestion on the roads leading to West Kochi. This would also help tourists, he said.

He expressed dismay at the Railways not developing the Ernakulam Junction station into a world-class station, despite promises made in several Railway budgets. “The works promised should be carried out in a time-bound manner. The Railways should also take over the GCDA building on the station's eastern entry.”

To prevent using many lines simultaneously for shunting operation at the station, the agency could develop a triangular station near the KSRTC bus stand, where land was available. Another option would be to build a new line from Tripunithura to Thirunettoor. Thus, trains coming from Kottayam could be diverted to this route and engine changing could be avoided. This would save time, free at least two lines at a time and all trains from Alappuzha and Kottayam would be able to stop at both the main stations in Ernakulam. He also demanded passenger trains from Ernakulam to Kottayam and Alappuzha at 8.30 p.m. since there were very few trains to these places after dusk.

Halts

Mr. Rajeev said that 14 pairs of trains did not have stop at the Aluva station, despite the station being the gateway to the high ranges, and earning an annual income of Rs.30 crore.

“The Tripunithura station can be developed as an outstation from the southern side. All trains should stop here and at Kalamassery on an experimental basis, when work on the Kochi metro rail begins and commuting to the city would become tougher.”

The Kalamassery station should be upgraded as a outstation in the city's north — considering its proximity to Kakkanad. The Railways should also use the now unused land owned by the Naval Armament Depot, he said.

He demanded to construct an overbridge linking the Container Terminal Road, and the proposed extension to Seaport-Airport Road.

Earlier, he interacted with representatives of railway passenger associations, residents associations, traders, and different forums for railway development.

http://www.thehindu.com/template/1-0-1/gfx/logo-footer.gif (http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/tp-kerala/article2464324.ece)

തിരുവനന്തപുരത്ത് നടന്ന റെയില്*വേ വികസന യോഗത്തില്* എറണാകുളത്തിന് വീണ്ടും പ്രതീക്ഷ. ഏറെക്കാലമായി ചര്*ച്ച ചെയ്യപ്പെട്ട വികസന കാര്യങ്ങള്* നടപ്പാക്കുന്നതിലാണ് ശുഭസൂചനകള്* ലഭിച്ചത്.

ഹൈക്കോടതിക്ക് സമീപമുള്ള പഴയ റെയില്*വേ സ്റ്റേഷന്* സബര്*ബന്* ഹബ്ബാക്കി മാറ്റുന്ന കാര്യം പരിഗണിക്കുമെന്ന് കേന്ദ്ര റെയില്*വേ മന്ത്രി ദിനേശ് ത്രിവേദി ഉറപ്പ് നല്*കിയതായി പി. രാജീവ് എം.പി. അറിയിച്ചു. ആറ് മാസത്തിനകം മെമു സര്*വീസുകള്* ആരംഭിക്കും. മെമു സര്*വീസുകള്* തുടങ്ങുന്ന മുറയ്ക്ക് സബര്*ബന്* സ്റ്റേഷന്* പ്രവര്*ത്തനം ആരംഭിക്കാനാണ് ലക്ഷ്യമിടുന്നത്. ആദ്യം എറണാകുളം- കൊല്ലം മെമു തീവണ്ടിയാണ് സര്*വീസ് ആരംഭിക്കുക. കോച്ച് കിട്ടുന്നതനുസരിച്ച് എറണാകുളം - പാലക്കാട്*മെമുവും സര്*വീസ് ആരംഭിക്കുമെന്നും പി. രാജീവ് എം.പി. അറിയിച്ചു.

ശബരി റെയില്*പാതയുടെ നിര്*മാണം വേഗത്തിലാക്കാനും യോഗം തീരുമാനിച്ചു. ശബരിറെയില്*പാതയ്ക്ക് വേണ്ടി സ്ഥലം ഏറ്റെടുത്തവര്*ക്ക് നല്*കാനുള്ള നഷ്ടപരിഹാരം സംബന്ധിച്ച് രണ്ട് ദിവസത്തിനകം തീരുമാനമെടുക്കും.

നാല് വില്ലേജുകളില്*പ്പെട്ടവര്*ക്കാണ് പണം നല്*കാനുള്ളത്. ഇതിനായി ഓഫീസര്* ഓണ്* സ്*പെഷല്* ഡ്യൂട്ടിയെയും റെയില്*വേ ജനറല്* മാനേജരേയും യോഗം ചുമതലപ്പെടുത്തി.

ബജറ്റില്* ഉള്*പ്പെടുത്തിയിരുന്ന സൗത്ത് റെയില്*വേ സ്റ്റേഷന്റെ വികസന പദ്ധതികള്* നടപ്പാക്കും. ആലുവ, തൃപ്പൂണിത്തുറ, റെയില്*വേ സ്റ്റേഷനുകളില്* കൂടുതല്* തീവണ്ടികള്*ക്ക് സ്റ്റോപ്പുകള്* അനുവദിക്കും.

ജില്ലയിലെ റെയില്*വേ വികസനത്തിന് ഊന്നല്* നല്*കുമെന്ന് കേന്ദ്രമന്ത്രി ഉറപ്പ് നല്*കിയതായി പി. രാജീവ് എം.പി. പറഞ്ഞു.

ഓള്*ഡ്*റെയില്*വേ സ്റ്റേഷന്* വികസന സമിതിയുടെ ആഭിമുഖ്യത്തില്* സ്റ്റേഷന്റെ വികസനത്തിനുവേണ്ടി കേരള സര്*ക്കാരിന് സമര്*പ്പിച്ച നിവേദനത്തിന് മുന്തിയ പരിഗണന നല്*കിയതായി കേരളത്തില്* റെയില്*വേയുടെ ചുമതലയുള്ള മന്ത്രി ആര്യാടന്* മുഹമ്മദ് പറഞ്ഞു. വിശദമായ വികസനരേഖകളും മറ്റും കേന്ദ്ര റെയില്*വേ മന്ത്രി ദിനേശ് ത്രിവേദിക്ക് വികസനസമിതി ജനറല്* കണ്*വീനര്*മാരായ കെ. രാമാമൃതം, കെ.പി. ഹരിഹരകുമാര്* തുടങ്ങിയവര്* കൈമാറി.

http://www.mathrubhumi.com/ernakulam/news/1173354-local_news-Kochi-%E0%B4%95%E0%B5%8A%E0%B4%9A%E0%B5%8D%E0%B4%9A%E0%B4%BF.html


P.Rajeev MP, said that he has hopes for getting Old Railway station behind High court to be converted into Suburban Rail station. He was talking to Press, after meeting Railway Minister Dinesh Tirwadi, during Railway Development conference held yesterday in the state capital. He said, the railway minister expressed his confidence in the project and it would take another 6 months for Palakkad-Kochi MEMU to get operated. By this time, he hopes to get the station renovated and ready for operations.

With rail doubling across Kerala encountering huge delays, Southern Railway must install an automatic signalling system across the State, P. Rajeev, MP, has said.

The existing system can support only three trains per hour (per line), while the automatic signalling would enable the passage of minimum 10 trains per hour, he said, while addressing mediapersons here on Saturday. This would speed up rail traffic, by preventing frequent detention of trains to get the green signal.

He also demanded speedy doubling of the extremely-congested Ernakulam-Kayamkulam route, through Kottayam and Alappuzha. “For this, the Railways must constitute a monitoring mechanism that includes representatives of the State government. Necessary funds too must be allotted. The agency must also ensure time-bound completion of the electrification of the Shoranur-Mangalore section. This is a pre-requisite to begin electrical multiple unit (EMU) services.”

Referring to passenger amenities, Mr Rajeev said that passengers have been let down because of the inadequate services that they get at railway stations and in trains. The Railways must allot modern coaches to trains plying through Kerala.

http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/tp-kerala/article2464308.ece

P Rajeev's comments are something practical I am hearing from a politician after a very long time. His comments regarding renovation of Old Railway Station, the new link to allow Kottayam trains to enter ERS without loco reversal, and others are also all very much welcome and would go a long way in removing the bottlenecks that choke the rail networks.

It is very easy to dream and plan new projects ignoring what we already have, but more often than not such projects creates more problems that it solves. The better approach, as proposed by Mr Rajiv is to optimize the utilization of whatever we have first. Such an approach will cost the least and require minimal or no displacement of people. True it would not be headline-catching or glamorous, but would serve the purpose well, especially in a state like Kerala where land and resources are at a premium.

Angamaly KSRTC Complex

http://img833.imageshack.us/img833/1585/200920111542.jpg

http://img850.imageshack.us/img850/4978/200920111543.jpg

Kindling hopes of the facilities at the Ernakulam South Railway Station getting raised to international standards, the Southern Railway has said that the inception report for the work was under finalisation.

In reply to a query raised by Viju Choolackal of Maryland, Karshaka Road, under the RTI Act, M Muhamed Saliya, Deputy Chief Engineer (Land and General/Construction), Erode, of the Southern Railway, also said that the No.6 platform can accommodate only 18 coaches owing to constraints of the existing yard.

The reply was given by Muhamed Saliya on behalf of the Chief Administrative Officer (Construction), Egmore.

The first announcement regarding the upgrading of the facilities at the Ernakulam South Railway Station was made by the-then Railway Minister Mamata Banerjee in her 2009 Railway Budget.

According to it, the Ernakulam South Railway Station would be provided with international amenities to elevate it to a modernised, world-class station. The major aspects of the project include separate areas for arriving and departing commuters so as to avoid conflicting movement; a bus terminus integrated with the station; mechanised conveyors for parcel handling to avoid crowding on platforms and elevators and escalators for easy mobility. The other features proposed included an elevated vehicular drop-off at either side of the station to help passengers arrive directly at the departure level which will have waiting areas and ticket counter; and also, facilities to enable those arriving at the station to disembark at the ground-level platforms and take escalators to the arrival hall in the basement to exit the station.

http://ibnlive.in.com/news/south-station-raising-to-international-standards/186427-60-122.html

Hope this get implemented soon :)

The railways must consider developing the East gate of South Railway station, along with better road connectivity. It shall help a lot to reduce congestion on South Overbridge.

If the market road behind GCDA is expanded into a 4 lane (its possible as there is lot of open land) and extended straight to East Gate, I am sure,m it will develop as more important than current West Gate.

^^
Once the Saleem Rajan-KSRTC flyover comes, the link road that connects Saleem Rajan Road and Sahodaran Ayyapan Road and passes in front of the eastern entry can be four landed and made into a main entrance for the station.

As for the present main entrance (western side), there is adequate land there for four additional platforms and lines. The present ramshackle station buildings and staff housing compexes should be demolished to add these new platforms, and a new western entrance cum railway office complex cum multi-storied car park constructed in the remaining areas.

The South railway Station incidentally is a good place to have elevated walkways with people movers.

As part of smoothening the traffic in the city the police are planning to increase the number of traffic sectors in the city. The traffic which is currently divided into 12 sectors will be increased to 26.

According to Assistant Commissioner (Traffic) V M Muhammad Rafique, increase in the number of traffic sectors would make traffic more effective as more regions can be covered. “There is an acute shortage of staff in the traffic police, increasing the number of traffic sectors will help ease the traffic congestion. Since traffic regulation will be put in place with the demolition of the North Overbridge, we will introduce additional sectors in the coming days. It is planned that two additional sectors Mattanchery and Tripunithura will be added with the newly started 12 sectors each under East and West Traffic traffic divisions in the city,” Muhammad Rafique said. The traffic sectors in the city will be larger compared to that on the outskirts of the city. Each sector will be headed by a sub-inspector. During the peak hours additional police personnel will be deployed. Police personnel will be deployed even during night time. More one side traffic will be implemented to ease the traffic during the peak period. More police personnel will be sought to make the traffic more effective.

Muhammad Rafique said the traffic problem could be easily solved if people cooperated with the police.” The basic problem is that people don’t adhere to traffic laws. Most of the trouble is created by two-wheelers who never show a little patience to ease the traffic flow. If the police are not watching the two-wheelers will even ride through the footpaths. If people adhere to the traffic laws, the traffic problem can be automatically solved,” he added.

http://ibnlive.in.com/news/more-zones-planned-to-ease-city-traffic/186748-60-122.html

Can't disagree with the ACP. Most of the blocks happen because no one would yield an inch, causing deadlocks. One frequent occurrence is at the triangle at Padivattom/Alinchuvadu.

Can't disagree with the ACP. Most of the blocks happen because no one would yield an inch, causing deadlocks. One frequent occurrence is at the triangle at Padivattom/Alinchuvadu.
I wanted to point out this particular area. then wondered whether these areas and upto padamugal-vazhakkala is really considered city "traffic" . commuting in the evening is a nightmare.

^^ Here is the importance of infopark highway. It is more important than HMT - airport SP AP Road. Tripunithura - Eroor - Vennala- palachuvad - Padamugal road also can be devoloped 2 lane without much land aquisition.

I wanted to point out this particular area. then wondered whether these areas and upto padamugal-vazhakkala is really considered city "traffic" . commuting in the evening is a nightmare.

Tell me about it!! I live in the middle of it. I try to avoid the morning hell by going to work late, but evening rush can't be avoided. If you see someone actually yielding others, that would be me. Please wave.

That road often carries more traffic than a 4 lane highway. And the branching traffic at three junctions (and the deadlock caused by impatience) is literally killing it. We desperately need the 'second crossing', ie Thammanam-chittethukara road to take the ITVty commuters out from this road.

ÈcâÁWÙß : æµÞ‚ß æÎçd¿Þ æºèK ÎÞÄãµÏßW È¿MÞAÞX ØKiÄ; d·ÞÎàà çùÞÁí ÕßµØȵÞøcJßW çµø{æJ çÆÖàÏ Îá~cÇÞøÏßW æµÞIá ÕøJA ÕßÇ¢ ÈßÌtȵ{ßW §{Õᢠ67 çµÞ¿ß øâÉÏá¢; ÎÙß{Þ µßØÞX ÖÞµíÄàµøà ÉiÄßµZAá 130 çµÞ¿ß øâÉ; d·ÞÎB{ßW È·ø ØìµøcBZ æµÞIáÕøáKÄßÈá øIá çµdwB{ßW 167 çµÞ¿ß; ¥GMÞ¿ß ÉøßØíÅßÄß Ø¢øfÃ, ¦ÆßÕÞØßçfÎ ÉiÄßµZAᢠÕßÆVÍ çÎÞÁW ÉÞçA¼ßæa ¥¿áJ ¸GJßÈᢠ¥ÈáÎÄß. Îßµ‚ ·ãÙÉÞÀ¢ È¿Jß Îá~cdLß ©NX ºÞIßÏáæ¿ çÈÄãÄbJßæÜJßÏ ©KÄÄÜ Ø¢¸¢ ÎáçKÞGá Õ‚ ÉáÄßÏ ÕßµØÈÎÞÄãµÏíAá çµdwJßæa ¥¢·àµÞø¢.

ÕßÝßE¢ ÄáùÎá~ ÉiÄßÏáæ¿ æ¿XÁùßW ÉæC¿áJßGáU øIá ØíÅÞÉÈB{áæ¿ ØáøfÞ ¥ÈáÎÄß È¿É¿ßµZ çÕ·JßÜÞAá¢. æ¿XÁùßW ÉæC¿áJ ¯Ýá ØíÅÞÉÈB{ßW ¥VÙÄÏáU øæIHJßæa ÉGßµ ÎâKá ÆßÕØ¢ ÎáXÉÞÃí Ø¢ØíÅÞÈ ØVAÞV ¦ÍcLø ÎdLÞÜÏJßÈá ÈWµßÏÄí.

ÉÄßÈFá çµdw ÎdLßÎÞæø µIí ¥ùáÉÄßçÜæù ÉiÄßµZ ¥ÕÄøßMß‚ çµø{Ø¢¸¢ æºùáÄᢠÕÜáÄáÎÞÏ ²çGæù ÉiÄßµZAí ¥ÈáÎÄßÏáÎÞÏÞÃá οBßÏÄí. µâ¿áÄW ºV‚ ¦ÕÖcÎÞÏÕ ÉdLIÞ¢ ÉiÄßÏßW ©ZæM¿áJáKáæÕKᢠآ¸¢ ©ùMÞAß.

http://www.manoramaonline.com/cgi-bin/MMOnline.dll/portal/ep/malayalamContentView.do?contentId=10116193&programId=1073753760&tabId=11&contentType=EDITORIAL&BV_ID=@@@

The city police have decided to overhaul the traffic regulation system in the city by bringing in new traffic signals and changing the signalling pattern.

The city traffic police have been seriously looking at various options to ensure smooth flow of traffic through the city roads once the North railway over bridge (ROB) is demolished for renovation in connection with the Kochi Metro Rail Project.

A panel of officials led by Kochi City police commissioner M R Ajith Kumar, City West Traffic assistant commissioner Muhammed Rafeeq and Traffic East assistant commissioner Baby Vinod has been weighing on various options to decongest the city roads in the coming months.

Apart from identifying various roads in the city that could be utilized for traffic diversion, the panel has been contemplating to revamp the entire traffic signalling system in the city.

Rafeeq said that they were planning to remove all traffic signals situated on the middle of the road to the side of the road. "The signal posts situated on the middle of the road take a lot of space and they cause inconvenience to the motorists. We are planning to shift the posts to both sides of the road," the official said.

The officer said that if the proposal takes shape, all the signal posts on the M G Road will be shifted from the middle of the road.

He said that the signalling system will also be changed to ensure that there is unhindered flow of traffic through the entire stretch of the M G Road. "Currently, the signalling is not synchronized on the M G Road. Vehicles getting green signal from the first signal situated at the beginning on the MG road have to halt at various signals which will not be the case once we introduce synchronization," the official said. The panel headed by City police commissioner will discuss the modalities threadbare before taking a final decision.

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/kochi/City-police-plan-to-revamp-traffic-signalling-system/articleshow/10098461.cms

The Union Minister of State of for Food and Civil Supplies- K.V Thomas, intimated Kochi Developments forum, that the Railway Ministry has agreed in principle to convert the Old Railway station behind High Court (ERG) as hub for Suburban and Memu services for the city. The order in this regards would be issued by Railways to SR soon.:banana::banana:

The forum also expressed that Railways must now consider effective utilization of 102 acres available with them at Ponnurrunni-Vytilla area to be converted into a Railway Medical college and Vytilla Station.

http://www.manoramaonline.com/cgi-bin/MMOnline.dll/portal/localContentView.do?tabId=16&contentId=10142102&district=Cochin&programId=1079897613&BV_ID=@@@

--------------------------------------------------------------

A good news for the city:banana::banana:. Eariler in Feb 2011, the minister said, the railways will consider for a Medical college near Old Railway station. Since its going to be converted into station, I believe, the Railways must immedidately sanction the Railways Medical College in Vytilla. It will surely bring in huge revenues and increase the value of its properties.

Asn9IIS_ZS4

The RO-RO services starts at Kochi

Asn9IIS_ZS4

The RO-RO services starts at Kochi

Video says its the first RO-RO service in India. True??

The next Ro-Ro service needed is to replace the passenger junkar between Fort Kochi and Vypeen. With this vehicles from West Kochi can reach High Court Jn or use container Road very easily, and will contribute to reducing traffic on MG Road and Bye Pass.

In fact, the Ezhupunna - Kumbalam - Perumpadpu - Rajiv Gandhi Road - Beach Road - K B Jacob Road - Fort Kochi Vypeen RoRo - Goshree Road - Container Road can become a viable alternative to the crowded NH 47 byepass between Arur and Kalamassery, atleast for LMVs.

Similarly, strengthening of the boat services between Ernakulam (both main boat jetty and High Court jetty) and Mattancherry and Fort Kochi and starting new services from Ernakulam to Thoppumpady and Eda Kochi can contribute to taking away a significant number of busses from the city roads.

Kochi metro: LA to be completed in 10 months


Kottayam: Acquisition of land for the Kochi metro rail project will be completed in 10 months, Kochi Metro Rail Ltd managing director Tom Jose told Manorama Online Thursday.

The preliminary procedure for acquisition have been initiated, said Tom Jose who took charge as the the full time MD of the project after getting relieved of his post as Principal Secretary of two important departments--Transport and Education.

The project needs 35 hectors of land, he said. Most projects in Kerala are indefinitely delayed thanks to the hiccups in acquisition of land. Such issues will not arise in the case of Kochi's dream project, said Tom.

Once the land acqusition begins in earnest, the contract for the construction of elevated rail too can be given, he said. The Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC), which has the charge of the construction of the project has started its preliminary work. The DMRC has started the work of Salim Rajan fly over, a parallel path to the South overbridge, he said. The construction of the overbridge and the widening of the roads as a part of having smooth traffic while the metro rail's work is on, will be completed in 14 months, he said.

The project can be completed in four years, he said. Tom also said that the Urban Development Ministry has given the assurance that follow up action in the project, which has got the approval of the Planning Commission, will be completed at the earliest.

http://english.manoramaonline.com/cgi-bin/MMOnline.dll/portal/ep/contentView.do?contentId=10151895&tabId=1&channelId=-1073865030&programId=1080132912

There was a doubt, what happened to a few Thirukochi Buses, which went off the road. Yesterday's Manorama carried out big news that a vested Lobby has taken off those buses to their cities and other towns.... I believe they had a reason to believe so, as like TOI, they are good in imaging things, especially when helm of affairs is from the city.

But anyway, Manorama is wrong!!! Transport Officer-Kochi, K.C Venugopal, made it clear that Thirukochi Buses are ONLY FOR KOCHI itself. A few buses have taken to other depots of the district, still connecting to city. A few buses have been diverted to highly poor patronized interior routes as part of social interest. However a few have to be taken off, due to lack of professional drivers. This issue would be sorted soon, as KSRTC is going into recruitment of short term contract drivers

KSRTC officials also confirmed that they are planning to increase the number of Vytilla-Vytilla Circular services of Thirukochi soon

The last remaining A/C Low floor alloted to Kochi has reached the city, but a few dues of last transaction is pending. The govt will settle it soon and will roll out the entire fleet soon.

http://www.deepika.com/ Read Nattuvisheshams

--------------------------------------------

I believe, the second set of Jnnurm Funding is expected to start from 2012 onwards. Kochi has every good chance to recevie for public transport. After all, Kerala's largest Metro region and economic hub, with a population of 2.2 Million residents, requires more qualitative services.

@Bus experts: This Thirukochi Bus Body Interior particularly is clearly different to accommodate more passengers exclusively made for Ernakulam City Service. It may not be confused for similar looking white washed Venad or Malabar Bus. guess the news of shifting buses to distant depots may be wrong.
but, heard Piravom is a halting center/night stay for some Thiru Kochi bus. Same with Kodungallur and Cherthala Perhaps?

^^ These Thiru Kochi buses are high floored - 3 step, narrow entry door opening to outside - buses which are not suitable for city service. See how the city buses are designed for BMTC in bangalore. Hope KSRTC should introduce those kind of bodied buses atleat after some 5 years. :nuts:

^^ These Thiru Kochi buses are high floored - 3 step, narrow entry buses which are not suitable for city service. See how the city buses are designed for BMTC in bangalore. Hope KSRTC should introduce those kind of bodied buses atleat after some 5 years. :nuts:

KSRTC is not as efficient as BMTC. Forget KSRTC-Karnataka/BMTC... They are the top notch professionals in the country. But our RTC is worser than TN to many ways.

In TN, all city buses have wide doors like Jnnurm Non A/c Low Floor buses.

Unless KSRTC do actual research on passenger ergonomics, this issue will prevail, thro'out the state.

CMIR, I thought the city service bus design of KSRTC is the same, whether running at Trivandrum or Kochi. Buses allotted to Kochi will be painted ThiruKochi, that's all.

Maybe Binai can comment, but I think the general body structure of Malabar/Venad buses are also the same, except the seating arrangement.

Those buses are built on the truck chassis, where the frame sits above the axle/suspension. They HAVE TO be high floor. Still, KSRTC could build body with wider doors.

Private city buses in kochi are 2 step without door. Better convenient than thiru kochi. Even front automatic doors are becoming common in long route buses in ekm dist, thrissur and malabar

CMIR, I thought the city service bus design of KSRTC is the same, whether running at Trivandrum or Kochi. Buses allotted to Kochi will be painted ThiruKochi, that's all.


You are right. In fact, buses of the same design as Thirukochi run as Ananthapuri in Trivandrum. (Thirukochi charges "Ordinary" fares, while Ananthapuri charges "City Fast" fares).


Maybe Binai can comment, but I think the general body structure of Malabar/Venad buses are also the same, except the seating arrangement.

Those buses are built on the truck chassis, where the frame sits above the axle/suspension. They HAVE TO be high floor. Still, KSRTC could build body with wider doors.

It is the same shell in both the buses - just the seating pattern changes, and the luggage rack disappears in a City bus.

Its unfair to call the chassis as "Truck Chassis" anymore - the passenger bus chassis has evolved a lot not. Its true that the chassis are not "pure bus chassis", but they are indeed "bus chassis", but derived from trucks.

They have a high floor because KSRTC meticulously follows the regulation that there should be no intrusion of the wheel well into the passenger compartment in regular buses - this is why the floor of a KSRTC bus is set to high. Gone are those days when one had to sit "almost on the floor" if one gets a seat on top of the wheel well - now the floor is at a single level throughout.

Private city buses in kochi are 2 step without door. Better convenient than thiru kochi. Even front automatic doors are becoming common in long route buses in ekm dist, thrissur and malabar

Are they really two step? That is not possible in a regular chassis - unless the steps are huge. They have to be three steps - or "Entry + 3". E+2 buses are semi-low floors - they are very expensive, and our private guys will not purchase them.

BTW, Automatic doors are mandatory as per law now - all buses that are registered after July 01, 2011 should have a driver controlled pneumatic door. (I hear that some operator went to court and got a stay - not very sure).

The Kerala State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC), which is facing an acute staff crunch, has begun mass recruitment of temporary staff.

Starting additional bus services, though, will take longer. A total of 162 employees have been recruited for Ernakulam region alone, which mainly has shortage of drivers.

“Already, most of our staff is doing at least five double duties a week. The new recruits will be deployed in the existing services as that would relieve the burden on the current bunch. Also, many of the short-listed (temporary) candidates won't join the service, which prevents us from starting more city services,” KSRTC controlling inspector Mr Antony P X, said.

The fact that no strict action can be taken against temporary staff deters the corporation from hiring more of them and thus being able to operate new services.

“For issues like not meeting the required monthly duty hours, we cannot take disciplinary action against them as in case of permanent staff, ” he said.

In Ernakulam depot, only 14 of the new recruits have joined so far. It operates 163 buses, which include 78 ordinary, 42 AC buses and six non-AC JNURM buses.

Asked when the corporation will be able to launch new services in the city, especially Thiru-Kochi services, he said the recruitment process of nearly 2,000 regular employees across the state through the Public Service Commission examination is ongoing.

"The physical test of the candidates is over. However, the whole process is expected to take another six months after which we can launch the new services," he said.

http://www.deccanchronicle.com/channels/cities/kochi/ksrtc-recruits-interim-staff-tackle-shortage-599

I think the pvt buses have wheel well protrusion, hence the floor low by at least a foot.

Binai, what are the major difference between the truck chassis ans a bus chassis?

It is time the truck makers started to make low floor frames standard for buses.

ചെന്നൈ-കൊച്ചി റൂട്ടില്* ആഡംബര സ്*ളീപ്പര്* ബസ് സര്*വീസ് തുടങ്ങി. പ്രവീണ്* ട്രാവല്*സാണ് ലക്ഷ്വറി സ്*നൂസ് ബസ് സര്*വീസ് സര്*വീസിനിറക്കിയിരിക്കുന്നത്. ഓരോ കിടക്കയിലും പ്രത്യേകം എല്*.സി.ഡി. ടി.വിയും മറ്റും സജ്ജമാക്കിയിട്ടുള്ള 31 കിടക്കകളാണ് ഒരുക്കിയിട്ടുള്ളത്. 1400 രൂപയാണ് ടിക്കറ്റ് നിരക്കെന്ന് പ്രവീണ്* ട്രാവല്*സ് ഡയറക്ടര്* സാദിഖ് പത്രസമ്മേളനത്തില്* പറഞ്ഞു.

http://www.mathrubhumi.com/ernakulam/news/1197273-local_news-Kochi-%E0%B4%95%E0%B5%8A%E0%B4%9A%E0%B5%8D%E0%B4%9A%E0%B4%BF.html

Praveen Travels, is introducing super luxury Sleeper buses between Kochi-Chennai sector. The Sleeper service individual LCD TV and other premium facilities. There will be 31 sleeper berths in the facility and the rate will be 1400 Rs.

ലിമിറ്റഡ് സ്റ്റോപ്പ് ബസുകള്*ക്ക് തിങ്കളാഴ്ച മുതല്* മൂന്നുദിവസത്തേക്ക് നഗരത്തില്* ഗതാഗതപരിഷ്കാരം. ചേര്*ത്തല,വൈക്കം ഭാഗത്തുനിന്ന് വരുന്ന ലിമിറ്റഡ് സ്റ്റോപ്പ് ബസുകള്* വൈറ്റില മൊബിലിറ്റി ഹബില്* പ്രവേശിക്കാതെ വൈറ്റില -പൊന്നുരുന്നി -കെ.കെ റോഡ് വഴി കലൂര്* ബസ് സ്റ്റാന്*ഡില്* എത്തണം.
ഈ ബസുകള്* മണപ്പാട്ടി പറമ്പില്* പാര്*ക്ക് ചെയ്യാതെ കലൂര്* വഴി തന്നെ തിരിച്ച് മൊബിലിറ്റി ഹബില്* പാര്*ക്ക് ചെയ്യാം.
യാത്രക്കാരുടെ നിരന്തര ആവശ്യത്തെത്തുടര്*ന്ന് പരീക്ഷണാടിസ്ഥാനത്തില്* മൂന്നുദിവസത്തേക്കാണ് ഗതാഗത പരിഷ്കാരം. എ.സി.പിയുടെ റിപ്പോര്*ട്ട് പ്രകാരം പരിഷ്കാരം തുടരണമോ എന്ന കാര്യത്തില്* തീരുമാനമെടുക്കുമെന്ന് കലക്ടര്* പി.ഐ. ഷെയ്ഖ് പരീത് അറിയിച്ചു.

http://www.madhyamam.com/news/122937/111002

As part of City traffic Reforms Trials, from today onwards Limited Stop inter-city buses coming from Southern/South Eastern side (Cherthala-Vaikom) may not enter VMH, rather must proceed to Kaloor stand via Vytilla Second Junction thro' Ponnurunni, Jawahar Nagar and KK Road

These buses on its return, must proceed to VMH. This system will be tested for next 3 days.

http://www.mathrubhumi.com/ernakulam/news/1197273-local_news-Kochi-%E0%B4%95%E0%B5%8A%E0%B4%9A%E0%B5%8D%E0%B4%9A%E0%B4%BF.html

Praveen Travels, is introducing super luxury Sleeper buses between Kochi-Chennai sector. The Sleeper service individual LCD TV and other premium facilities. There will be 31 sleeper berths in the facility and the rate will be 1400 Rs.

I think its Parveen travels from Chennai who is a major bus service in South India. Please correct me if am wrong. And the Service is good...

http://www.parveentravels.com/index.php?option=com_news&Itemid=12&lang=en&task=show_news

Ya, it is PARVEEN and not PRAVEEN, and they are here for some time. I had once travelled in their ‘King Long’ bus from Trivandrum to Chennai in 2004 or so.

They started the same service from Trivandrum to Chennai aslo, I was in Trivandrum this weekend, saw the news in dailies, I think the rate is some Rs.1300/- or so.

Ya, it is PARVEEN and not PRAVEEN, and they are here for some time. I had once travelled in their ‘King Long’ bus from Trivandrum to Chennai in 2004 or so.

They started the same service from Trivandrum to Chennai aslo, I was in Trivandrum this weekend, saw the news in dailies, I think the rate is some Rs.1300/- or so.

Yes its Parveen..The same service has been started between TVM and chennai also.

^^ In 2004 KingLong a/c bus from parveen was launched in Calicut-Chennai route as well, But the service is being stopped after helding for permit violation.

At first they came to Kerala with their King Long and Volvo buses. But Merceds Benz buses are replacing these buses and they are plying this TVM -Chennai route for the past 15 months.

http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=770578&page=190

^^ The Merc for Trivandrum is a preferred one as it takes less than 12 hours to cover the entire strech as it goes via Tindivanam ,Unlike Trains which go via EKM.

^^Not only the Merc to Chennai, most of the buses to Bangalore also now goes via TN only. BTW from TVM to Chennai there are trains which go via South TN to Chennai from Trivandrum. I think two of them are there, Anathapuri Express and one Super Fast.


The whole road from South TN to Chennai is a ‘scientifically designed’ straight stretches of 4/six lane carriageway which bypasses all towns/cities in between. The sparse traffic also adds to the comfort of driving. Most double axle Volvos start by around 8.30 pm instead of the earlier evening time of 3-4 pm. We have SSC forumers here who have got in to a Volvo from Bangalore at 8.30 pm and landed at his home at 6.30 am next day.

The last few kms (around 70kms) need to be done for Trivandrum to have end to end streamlined access to the North South corridor.

This road is also preferred by those drive down themselves to TVM from Bangalore. Nobody now likes to go through the entire length of Kerala. To Kollam also, this road is better, with NH 208 giving connectivity via Rajapalayam, Srivilliputur, Tenkasi, Shencottah, Punalur. (I have driven through this road). My cousin from Kollam who use to drive down to Bangalore for business normally takes about 9 hours to reach kollam.

Moved to Trivandrum transport section

http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?p=84361400#post84361400

Kochinites actively working together to make Kochi's historic Railway station- the Ernakulam Terminus back to life

Hopes were high for those eagerly awaiting the completion of the makeover of the Old Railway Station near the High Court Junction, on Sunday.

As part of Gandhi Jayanti and the campaign to renovate the station to operate passenger services, a two-hour clean-up drive was held. A rally taken out from the Gandhi Bhavan reached the station at 10 am and the clean-up drive began. Inaugurating the function MLA Hibi Eden said: “The renovation of the station to accommodate passenger services will definitely help reduce the traffic in the city which is growing manifold. All efforts will be taken in this regard, he added.

The clean-up campaign was launched by the Vikasana Samiti, which was constituted last month to address the issue of renovating the Old Railway Station to start passenger services from there.

Thick weeds, fallen trees on abandoned quarters and buildings, knee-deep water, muck, dirt and filth had invaded the 22-acre land, which was once a hub of activity. Also, there are hardly any signs of the tracks that had once carried heavy goods and passengers for a long time. “At least 60 locals from the community joined hands with the Samiti activists to clean up the station. The weeds covering the platforms were removed and the area cleaned up,” Samiti general convenor O Hariharan said.

Last week, the Union Railway Ministry had granted sanction to renovate the Old Railway Station.:banana:

The Old Railway Station, earlier known as the Old Ernakulam Terminus Station, had functioned as a goods station till 2000.

“There is a need to renovate the station owing to its historical importance. Leaders like Mahatma Gandhi and Lord Mountbatten had stepped their foot on Kerala soil at the station. It is our responsibility to put pressure on the authorities to convert the station into a usable one,” he said.

http://ibnlive.in.com/news/makeover-for-old-railway-station/189679-60-122.html

Hope this revival move, soon make a historic landmark back to life. Lets all work together in making Maharaja Rama Varma Terminus alive and hope it showcases itself as a living heritage of our past and history

The low-floor buses being operated by the KSRTC in Ernakulam district are yet to achieve breakeven status, about two years since they began service.

The average revenue per km for the AC buses is in the range of Rs. 32 to Rs. 34, while it has to be at least Rs. 48 to achieve the breakeven stage. Similarly, the earnings per km for non-AC buses is Rs. 22, whereas the expenditure hovers around Rs. 30. The AC buses plying to Muvattupuzha, Kothamangalam and Perumbavoor are getting much better collection than their counterparts in the city.

Though many commuters prefer these buses purchased under the Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission (JNNURM) scheme and the RTC's Thirukochi buses over private buses, a prominent reason for their inadequate patronage is the lack of awareness about their arrival at bus stands and prominent bus stops. Very often, personnel manning the RTC's enquiry counter at the Ernakulam Bus station are unable to provide details about their timings over telephone.

http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Kochi/article2517560.ece

Kochi: The district administration has decided to modify the design of the Vyttila skywalk project after incorporating the changes suggested by the National Highway Authority of India (NHAI). In the wake of the proposed projects like Kochi metro rail and Vyttila flyover, the height of the project will have to be regulated accordingly.

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/kochi/-Vyttila-skywalk-design-to-be-modified/articleshow/10262925.cms

മെട്രോ റെയില്* പദ്ധതിക്ക് മുന്നോടിയായി ഞായറാഴ്ച മുതല്* നഗരത്തില്* ഗതാഗത പരിഷ്*കാരം നടപ്പാക്കുന്നു. ശനിയാഴ്ച രാത്രി ഇതിന്റെ ഭാഗമായുള്ള മുന്നൊരുക്കങ്ങള്* പൂര്*ത്തിയാകുമെന്ന് ജില്ലാ കളക്ടര്* പി.ഐ. ഷെയ്ക്ക് പരീത് അറിയിച്ചു. ഞായറാഴ്ച രാവിലെ മുതല്* ഗതാഗത പരിഷ്*കരണം പൂര്*ണതോതില്* പ്രാബല്യത്തിലാകും.

നോര്*ത്ത് പാലം പൊളിക്കുന്നതിന് മുന്നോടിയായാണ് ഗതാഗത നിയന്ത്രണം. ഓട്ടോറിക്ഷകള്*, മോട്ടോര്* സൈക്കിള്*, ചരക്കുവാഹനങ്ങള്*, നോര്*ത്ത് റെയില്*വേ ഓവര്*ബ്രിഡ്ജ് വഴി അനുവദിക്കുന്നതല്ല. ഇടപ്പള്ളി ഭാഗത്തു നിന്ന് വരുന്ന ഇത്തരം വാഹനങ്ങള്* പാലാരിവട്ടം വഴി തമ്മനം-പുല്ലേപ്പടി റോഡിലൂടെയോ, കലൂര്* ഇന്റര്*നാഷണല്* സ്റ്റേഡിയം, കാരണക്കോടം, തമ്മനം, പുല്ലേപ്പടി വഴിയോ പോകണം. ആലുവ ഭാഗത്ത് നിന്ന് വരുന്ന വാഹനങ്ങള്* കളമശ്ശേരി അപ്പോളോ ജങ്ഷനില്* നിന്ന് വലത്തോട്ട് തിരിഞ്ഞ് വല്ലാര്*പാടം കണ്ടെയ്*നര്* റോഡിലൂടെ ഹൈക്കോടതി ഭാഗത്തേക്ക് പോകണം. കലൂര്* ഭാഗത്തേക്ക് നഗരത്തില്* നിന്ന് വരുന്ന ബസ്സുകളും കാറുകളും ഹൈക്കോടതി ജങ്ഷനില്* നിന്ന് തിരിഞ്ഞ് പച്ചാളം ഗേറ്റില്* എത്തണം. അവിടെനിന്ന് വലത്തോട്ട് തിരിഞ്ഞ് പച്ചാളം-പൊറ്റക്കുഴി റോഡിലൂടെ പൊറ്റക്കുഴി ജംഗ്ഷനില്* നിന്ന് തിരിഞ്ഞ് പച്ചാളം- പൊറ്റക്കുഴി റോഡിലൂടെ പൊറ്റക്കുഴയിലെത്തിയശേഷം എളമക്കര റോഡിലൂടെ ഇടപ്പള്ളിയിലേക്കും വലത്തോട്ട് തിരിഞ്ഞ് കലൂരിലേക്കും എത്തണം. അല്ലെങ്കില്* എം.ജി. റോഡില്* നിന്ന് തിരിഞ്ഞ് വീക്ഷണം റോഡ് വഴി ചിറ്റൂര്* റോഡില്* പ്രവേശിച്ച് പുല്ലേപ്പടി ജംഗ്ഷനില്* എത്തി പാലം കയറി ഇടത്തോട്ട് തിരിഞ്ഞ് ടി.പി. ബണ്ട് റോഡിലൂടെ സെന്റ് ഫ്രാന്*സിസ് പള്ളിക്ക് സമീപമുള്ള റോഡിലൂടെ കെ.കെ. റോഡിലെത്താം. ഇടറോഡുകളുടെ അറ്റകുറ്റപ്പണികള്* പൂര്*ത്തിയായി വരുന്നതായി അധികൃതര്* അറിയിച്ചു.

http://www.mathrubhumi.com/ernakulam/news/1205043-local_news-Kochi-%E0%B4%95%E0%B5%8A%E0%B4%9A%E0%B5%8D%E0%B4%9A%E0%B4%BF.html


Traffic restrictions will be in place in the city, from tommorrow onwards, as part of demolition of North ROB, a preparatory work for Kochi Metro.

As part of restrictions, from tommorrow onwards, motorcycles, 3 wheelers, cargo vehicles. These vehicles have to use Thamman-Pullepady road/ROB or divert via Container Road

Buses, cars etc to North, Aluva can use Pachalam gate to Panchalam-Pottakuzhi road, to reach back to Kaloor. Otherwise can divert via Thammam Pullepady roads. Otherwise via NH Byepass thro' South or thro' Container road to Aluva.

http://www.paulotravels.com/Paulo/media/logo.gif

Goa's leading travel company- Paulo Travels is introducing Kochi-Goa daily bus services from Oct 14th 2011 onwards. This will be the first daily services between Kerala and Goa. The service will using multi-axle Volvo bus offering premium services onboard.

The daily service starts at 1:30 pm in afternoon. On weekends, special tour packages to Goa....

The company will be shortly launching Kozhikode-Goa services.

Goa's leading travel company- Paulo Travels is introducing Kochi-Goa daily bus services from Oct 14th 2011 onwards. This will be the first daily services between Kerala and Goa. The service will using multi-axle Volvo bus offering premium services onboard.


Was wondering for so long why no body was interested in this route! With the four-laning of NH17 completing, this bus would be able to leave in the evening and reach there by morning. The next major route will be Kerala-Pune or Kerala-Mumbai - with roads improving by the day, the route is not far!

currently, to reach Pune or Bombay from Ernakulam the fastest route is Salem-Banglore-hubli ? better than narrow highway nh17.

wasn't there tourist bus services from akbar travels(ernakulam) to bombay earlier?

currently, to reach Pune or Bombay from Ernakulam the fastest route is Salem-Banglore-hubli ? better than narrow highway nh17.


Fastest.. could be the one via Salem - Bangalore. But its a good 200 kms extra compared to the one via NH-17.

If some operator decides to do the route, they might run through NH17 itself - the route would be somewhat like this: Ernakulam-Kozhikode-Kannur-Mangalore-Udupi-Ankola-Yellapur-Hubli-Belgaum-Kolhapur-Pune-Mumbai.

Ernakulam-Kannur-Kasaragod is fair - the road is bad in places, but not very narrow. Mangalore-Ankola four laning is in progress. Hubli onwards its a very good road.

Mangalore to Mumbai is about 16-18 hours. Ernakulam-Mangalore should take about 8-12 hours depending on time. So a bus can do Ernakulam-Mumbai in about 26~30 hours - somewhat like the VRL bus between Bangalore and Ahmedabad.


wasn't there tourist bus services from akbar travels(ernakulam) to bombay earlier?

Yes. They did have buses on that route. But then, those days, KR did not exist and buses ruled the roost in the Mumbai-Mangalore/Kerala route. Mumbai-Mangalore still has a lot of buses, especially Multi-Axles.

In the 90's people used to take the Bangalore bus from here, and take another bus to Mumbai. Used to meet a lot of Gulf bound people on the buses. That was before CIAL, or even the pvt. airlines.

4 Laning of NH17 from Edappally to Manjeshwaram is going to be real hard work. most of the highway portion goes through coastal region. naturally, I expect congested areas all through out the NH17 route and land accusation is another issue.
But, I think, it is the shortest route to Mangalapuram-Udupi-Goa. Recalling, I read some weeks back, a bridge south of Kozhikode is completed and it reduces distance by 30kms in Ernakulam-Kozhikode Route. from Ernakulam, till Parur it is PITA to drive through twisty roads and including Parur town. I took that route sometime back not remember it is any good for a fast moving traffic.
⧓⧓⧓⧓⧓⧓⧓⧓⧓⧓⧓⧓⧓⧓⧓⧓⧓⧓⧓⧓⧓⧓⧓⧓⧓⧓⧓⧓⧓⧓

M K Muneer's Express Highway Plan could have helped. it was a futuristic choice. it passes through midlands and not through TheeraDesam(Coastal) if I recall correctly.

4 Laning of NH17 from Edappally to Manjeshwaram is going to be real hard work. most of the highway portion goes through coastal region. naturally, I expect congested areas all through out the NH17 route and land accusation is another issue.
But, I think, it is the shortest route to Mangalapuram-Udupi-Goa. Recalling, I read some weeks back, a bridge south of Kozhikode is completed and it reduces distance by 30kms in Ernakulam-Kozhikode Route. from Ernakulam, till Parur it is PITA to drive through twisty roads and including Parur town. I took that route sometime back not remember it is any good for a fast moving traffic.
⧓⧓⧓⧓⧓⧓⧓⧓⧓⧓⧓⧓⧓⧓⧓⧓⧓⧓⧓⧓⧓⧓⧓⧓⧓⧓⧓⧓⧓⧓

M K Muneer's Express Highway Plan could have helped. it was a futuristic choice. it passes through midlands and not through TheeraDesam(Coastal) if I recall correctly.

There is one more highway planned by RBCK to pass from Ernakulam to Kozhikode in a 4 lane mode with a mega bridge at Ponnani Harbour. I forgot the name of the road. I hope that would again reduce the time....

There is one more highway planned by RBCK to pass from Ernakulam to Kozhikode in a 4 lane mode with a mega bridge at Ponnani Harbour. I forgot the name of the road. I hope that would again reduce the time....

I think its "Chammravattom Regulator cum Bridge" which is nearing completion.

4 Laning of NH17 from Edappally to Manjeshwaram is going to be real hard work. most of the highway portion goes through coastal region. naturally, I expect congested areas all through out the NH17 route and land accusation is another issue.


AFAIK, the work is already awarded - Kuttipuram-Kannur and Kannur-Manjeswaram are already tendered. Edappally-Kuttipuram is remaining - however, LA is mostly complete between Varapuzha and Kodungallur except at some places. Edappally to Varapuzha already has good wide roads.


from Ernakulam, till Parur it is PITA to drive through twisty roads and including Parur town. I took that route sometime back not remember it is any good for a fast moving traffic.


Er! Its the other way round. Ernakulam to Parur is decent. Parur to Kodungallur is awful - I drive from Kodungallur to Edappally daily - it takes me 20 minutes to cover 12 kms from Kodungallur to Parur, and another 25 minutes to cover 22 kms from Parur to Edappally Gate! (Beyond that is unpredictable)

There is one more highway planned by RBCK to pass from Ernakulam to Kozhikode in a 4 lane mode with a mega bridge at Ponnani Harbour. I forgot the name of the road. I hope that would again reduce the time....

Yeah.. the Coastal road - the "West Coast Highway". This one takes off from Ponnani and lands at Vengalam near Kozhikode. This one also includes the Chamravattom Regulator cum bridge. The road would go through Tirur-Tanur.. and join NH17 after Kozhikode.

But, then, this is another project in Kerala.

I think its "Chammravattom Regulator cum Bridge" which is nearing completion.

I remember hearing that this bridge would be opening for traffic in January. KSRTC has plans for a frequent bus service through this route once it opens.

AFAIK, the work is already awarded - Kuttipuram-Kannur and Kannur-Manjeswaram are already tendered. Edappally-Kuttipuram is remaining - however, LA is mostly complete between Varapuzha and Kodungallur except at some places. Edappally to Varapuzha already has good wide roads.


But dear Binai, between Varappuzha and Kodungallur land acquired some 15 years ago (Not sure) with 30 meter only. Acquiring another 15 meter from this stretch - a tough task i think...

But dear Binai, between Varappuzha and Kodungallur land acquired some 15 years ago (Not sure) with 30 meter only. Acquiring another 15 meter from this stretch - a tough task i think...

Now that is what our damn state is fighting on. While every other state accepts the standards set by the Indian Road Congress, we talk of "something special" about our state and lower the standards every time - what do we get at the end? Road that that potholed for 11.5 months every year. (11.5 months because the roads are usually resurfaced around May 15, and the rain begins on June 1. The roads will remain in that state until May 15 the next year!)

For Kodungallur bypass - they acquired land for 45metres width. Except for the Cheriyapilly-Varapuzha stretch, acquiring extra 15metres land should not be an issue - the area is not densely populated.

Kochi Metro will go on, says HC : Deccan Chronicle

The Kerala High Court on Wednesday refused to interfere with the demolition of North Railway Over bridge (ROB), and asked for clarifcation from the state government on the status of the Kochi Metro Rail Ltd formed to execute the Metro Rail project.

A Division Bench of the Kerala High Court on Wednesday adjourned by one month hearing on a writ petition challenging the formation of the Kochi Metro Rail Limited for establishing metro railway in the city.

The petition was filed by V.M. Machael of Kochi. He said that the government order forming a Limited company as a Special Purpose Vehicle(SPV) under the provisions of the Companies Act for setting up metro rail was illegal. The State government had no jurisdiction to issue such an order. In fact, only the Central government had been empowered to issue such an order in terms of the Metro Rail (Construction of Works) Act 1978.

The Central government could appoint a board for advising the State government on the metro-rail project. The State government could only approach the Indian Railways to introduce a mass rapid transport system. The new company could undertake works only under a valid contract with the Central government. No such contract had been signed with the Central government.

The petitioner pointed out that no laws allowed the State government to form such a company. Even the constitution of the board of directors of the company was illegal because the board had been constituted even before the drafting of memorandum and articles of association. Nor any decision was taken by the Cabinet to constitute a company.

The petitioner also said that the decision to demolish the North railway overbridge was illegal. According to him, the company or any other authority had not obtained the mandatory sanction for demolishing the railway overbridge from the Central government or the Railways. He said that even before the Planning Commission had sanctioned the project, the authorities went ahead with the implementation of the project.

He pointed out that, in fact, metro rail was recommended only for metropolitan city with a population of 40 lakh. Kochi city had only a population 6.89 lakh, according to the petitioner. Besides, the financial viability of the project looked very grim.

http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/tp-kerala/article2533322.ece

^^^^^^^^

This is not any new or surprising phenomenon. Every mammoth new project had initial oppositions within the society like this and later it will be the same people on lead, for patronizing the facility, once its open.

In 1995, we had many Bujjis and intellectuals who claimed CIAL is an unnessecary expenditure and wasting much of fertile land. We had a Vidwan who even said, the first flight will touch runway over his body.... And the very same person later became the Director of CIAL..... And today it became India's 4th busiest International Airport and soon going to be India's 3rd Largest terminal.....

So forget such useless claims.....

http://www.manoramaonline.com/cgi-bin/MMOnline.dll/portal/localContentView.do?tabId=16&programId=1079897624&contentId=10231375&district=Cochin&BV_ID=@@@

Good suggestion. But is there anybody to listen

The Kochi Metro Rail Limited (KMRL) is open to the proposal to extend the system of mass rapid transport up to the Kochi international airport, its managing director Tom Jose has said.

“The world over, metro-rails are linked to airports,” he said, when sought to comment on Wednesday's observation by the High Court of Kerala about the possibility of a link (from Aluva) up to the airport, while hearing a writ petition filed by an NGO about the project. The State Government, which has substantial stake in the airport company can decide on raising the funds for the extension, he said.

The demand for an airport link was suggested about four years ago and could be carried out by extending the metro-rail alignment by another eight km from Aluva up to the airport. This would in turn increase the passenger patronage for the metro since domestic and international air passengers could use it to reach the city. They now pay upwards of Rs 600 for the journey by taxi car.

A senior airport official said that though they had received a communication a few years ago about the proposal, there was no follow-up action. “The airport extension could be thought of once phase one (Aluva-M G Road-Pettah stretch) is commissioned,” he said.

Writ petition

Mr. Jose termed as unscientific the contentions raised in the writ petition about the feasibility of the system of mass rapid transport.

The convener of an NGO, V. M. Michael who approached the court had claimed that Kochi has a population of 6.89 lakh, ‘whereas a metro-rail system is ideal for cities with a population of 40 lakh or more'. Speaking to The Hindu , Mr. Michael said that a suburban-rail system and wide roads can be laid to link Kochi with neighbouring districts, by using the over Rs 5,000 crore that the metro is estimated to cost. Even if the metro is commissioned, he demanded that its alignment be extended up to the High Court Junction since it is a prominent hub where commuters board and alight.

Rebutting the petitioner's first claim, Mr. Jose said that the metro rail is not aimed at meeting the commuting demands in just the Kochi Corporation area, the limits of which were set decades ago. “Since then, the land-use pattern in the city and its suburbs changed considerably. We are looking at the greater Kochi area, which includes places under the Corporation, five municipalities and nearby panchayats. Starting from Aluva, the elevated rails would cover the city's hinterland too since thousands of people from these places visit the city each day for jobs, shopping etc., through congested roads.”

He also refuted the petitioner's contention that the nod of Indian Railways was required for the project. Urban transportation falls under the Union Urban Development Ministry. The Ministry permits States to set up their metro-rail and other urban transportation systems.

Cabinet note

Referring to the Cabinet note prepared recently by the Union Urban Development Ministry on the project, he said that this would be forwarded to the Union Cabinet, the Union Finance and other ministries.

The note reportedly upheld the State Government's demand to execute the project as a Centre-State joint venture without private participation, on the lines of the Chennai metro-rail. The State Government recently revised the project cost to Rs 5,016 crore, up from Rs 1,186 crore six years ago. “The rate in the Detailed Project Report was upgraded based on prevailing market conditions. These are dynamic figures and are based on the estimated cost,” Mr. Jose said.

_________________________________________________________________

Union Urban Development Ministry says the project can be done as a Centre-State venture

State had recently revised the project cost to Rs.5,016 crore up from Rs.1,186 crore

_________________________________________________________________

http://www.thehindu.com/template/1-0-1/gfx/logo-footer.gif (http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/tp-kerala/article2536506.ece)

http://www.manoramaonline.com/cgi-bin/MMOnline.dll/portal/localContentView.do?tabId=16&programId=1079897624&contentId=10231375&district=Cochin&BV_ID=@@@

Good suggestion. But is there anybody to listen

+1. Very good suggestions - but like every Manorama report, there are a few factual errors.

The report says that passengers from Aluva to Kakkanad have to change buses at Palarivattam. KSRTC has been operating Aluva-Kakkanad-Tripunithura buses since a very very long time - and the services are fairly frequent as well. In addition to these, KSRTC is also operating cut trips to Kakkanad/Infopark from various places, via Seaport-Airport Road.

The report also talks of low number of services via Edappally-Aroor bypass - anyone who has traveled on that road would know that the report is based on assumptions - than facts.

While I agree that City routes should be re-organised, I do not agree to to basing all of them at Vyttila. In fact, the report talks of reducing buses through city routes, which IMO would have disastrous effects. Instead they should develop a hub and spoke model based at Vyttila as well as Kaloor. The current bus station at Kaloor should be developed into a city bus station. They should run frequent buses from Kaloor to Vyttila via Kathrikadavu.

Vyttila bus station should cater to services via the bypass and towards Kakkanad/Tripunithura. Kaloor would take care of the city routes - i.e., a variation of the current bus services.

So in effect the routes should look like:

Vyttila to Aluva (via bypass), Poothotta, Kakkanad (Via Tripunithura), Aroor (bypass), Fort Kochi/Mattanchery/Island/Edakochi/Thoppumpady (via Kundannoor), Kaloor (via Kathrikadavu), Circular routes via Thammanam, Palarivattom, Kundanoor, Cheranellor (via Palarivattam, Edappally), Chittoor (via kadavanthra, Menaka/Padma), Njarakkal/Cherai (via Kadavanthra, Menaka/Padma), Parur (via Bypass, Edappally, Varapuzha).

Kaloor to Aluva (via Edappally), Fort Kochi/Thoppumpady/Mattachery/Edakochi/Aroor/Kumbalanghi (via current routes - Padma/Menaka, Thevara), Cheranellore (via Edappally), Ponekkara/Elamakkara (current routes), Chittoor (via Kacheripady/Ayyappankavu - this would be a new route), Parur (current route), Njarakkal/Vypin (via High court).

So there would be two spokes, catering to different routes, with little overlaps. In the above example, I haven't suggested all the routes - but just suggestive of what it should look like.

For this to be accomplished, they would have to develop the Kaloor BS like that of Majestic (Bangalore) or the City bus section of CMBT (Chennai). They should also consider building a flyover at Kaloor to reduce congestion.

V. M. Michael who approached the court had claimed that Kochi has a population of 6.89 lakh, ‘whereas a metro-rail system is ideal for cities with a population of 40 lakh or more'

This claim is baseless, as everyone agrees.

He also refuted the petitioner's contention that the nod of Indian Railways was required for the project. Urban transportation falls under the Union Urban Development Ministry. The Ministry permits States to set up their metro-rail and other urban transportation systems.

The nod of Indian Railways is not required for the metro project. But it is definitely required for the reconstruction of North ROB (and anywhere else where the metro line crosses IR tracks). Mr. Tom Jose could as well as have clarified whether Railways have approved reconstruction of North ROB and put speculations to rest.

Anyway the Court did the right thing by refusing the stay the demolition now, since the side bays are now already rendered useless, and staying the work now will only serve to delay the remedy.


Even if the metro is commissioned, he demanded that its alignment be extended up to the High Court Junction since it is a prominent hub where commuters board and alight.

A very valid suggestion. It is common sense that the metro should actually go via Marine Drive instead of MG Road to derive substantial benefits. Even those who want to go to places in MG Road will still benefit through the stations at Kacheripady and Ground. Only the proposed station near Shenoys will go (which is not too far off from either Kacheripady or Ground), and instead much higher patronage stations such as High Court, Broadway/Market, Jetty/General Hospital will come up. It would also allow people of WestKochi and Goshree islands to directly get into the metro from boats without depending on road transportation. And land acquisition or even road widening wont be a issue in this route as most of the land is govt owned. Don't know why MG Road was chosen in the first place?

A very valid suggestion. It is common sense that the metro should actually go via Marine Drive instead of MG Road to derive substantial benefits.

+1 to this. Marine Drive is already wide enough to accomodate the metro. The section around St. Theresa's would be an issue since there are far too many buildings there. Then comes the hospital - which too cannot be disturbed.

May be all these made them take the alignment through MG Road. But yes, Marine drive should've been the route. The devil in me make me dream that the metro should've run along the coast as well ;) That is, move towards the coast after High Court and continue on the same route till Subash Chandra Bose park, where it would cross over to the road, and run straight to Maharaja's college ground.

+1. Very good suggestions - but like every Manorama report, there are a few factual errors.
<snip>


Spoke like the true expert! You are absolutely right Binai. :applause:

+1 to this. Marine Drive is already wide enough to accomodate the metro. The section around St. Theresa's would be an issue since there are far too many buildings there. Then comes the hospital - which too cannot be disturbed.

May be all these made them take the alignment through MG Road. But yes, Marine drive should've been the route. The devil in me make me dream that the metro should've run along the coast as well ;) That is, move towards the coast after High Court and continue on the same route till Subash Chandra Bose park, where it would cross over to the road, and run straight to Maharaja's college ground.

I am basically supportive to this route, as personally I don't believe in bring up all the crowds here and there to MG Road.

But on a personal assessment, this route would require cutting of many trees in Park Avenue road, which would invite action of environmentalists. I don't personally join with destruction of the last remaining green belt of the city.

I believe in future, a second phase of Metro has to be planned from Banerjee road to Cherai or North Paravur, via Goshree Bridges, Vallarpadaom and Vypeen (may not be on the alignment of existing Vypeen Highway which is densely populated). In near future, Vallarpadam SEZ, Oceanarium, Muziris Heritage Circuit will demand for a heavy passenger traffic to this area, which a handful of buses running on a 10 m wide road cannot cater.

Coupled with this, a third phase must run as Aroor-Paravur route making a complete circle of Greater Cochin and faster development of areas which has vast stretches of land for urban development.

So in effect the routes should look like:

Vyttila to Aluva (via bypass), Poothotta, Kakkanad (Via Tripunithura), Aroor (bypass), Fort Kochi/Mattanchery/Island/Edakochi/Thoppumpady (via Kundannoor), Kaloor (via Kathrikadavu), Circular routes via Thammanam, Palarivattom, Kundanoor, Cheranellor (via Palarivattam, Edappally), Chittoor (via kadavanthra, Menaka/Padma), Njarakkal/Cherai (via Kadavanthra, Menaka/Padma), Parur (via Bypass, Edappally, Varapuzha).

Kaloor to Aluva (via Edappally), Fort Kochi/Thoppumpady/Mattachery/Edakochi/Aroor/Kumbalanghi (via current routes - Padma/Menaka, Thevara), Cheranellore (via Edappally), Ponekkara/Elamakkara (current routes), Chittoor (via Kacheripady/Ayyappankavu - this would be a new route), Parur (current route), Njarakkal/Vypin (via High court).

So there would be two spokes, catering to different routes, with little overlaps. In the above example, I haven't suggested all the routes - but just suggestive of what it should look like.

For this to be accomplished, they would have to develop the Kaloor BS like that of Majestic (Bangalore) or the City bus section of CMBT (Chennai). They should also consider building a flyover at Kaloor to reduce congestion.

You are awesome Binaiks...... A true expert and strategic planner.... I wish if KSRTC had people like on top, it would be reaping profits.....:cheers:

Two KSRTC Thirukochi Buses will ply from Piravom to various parts of the city. One bus will cover Piravom-Fort Kochi route via Udayamperoor, Tripunithara, Maradu, Kundanoor, Island, Thoppumpady, while second bus will ply on Piravom-Aluva, via Tripunithara, Maradu, Vytilla, MG Road, Menaka.

The Service will commence from Monday onwards

I have slightly different opinion and few more suggestions; we should mind the suburban services/buses when considering city bus traffic.

Just think about the traffic problems if all of the north and north-east bound line buses are centered in Vyttila. We know still a good number of buses to KSRTC Stand and Jetty are passing through north bridge.

The ideal halting place for Guruvayoor/Kozhikode/Kodungallur bound buses, including which are servicing to Jetty is nowhere but Kaloor.

Vyttila may not be a right place for Perumbavoor/Kothmangalam bound buses. Instead of South RLw.Station, Those buses can be start from Kaloor.

A good number of buses to Mulamthuruthy ,Thiruvaniyoor and Puthencruz side is starting from Kaloor - Those buses should have made city buses without entering Kaloor stand and should allow to alter route though Menaka and to extend the route to other city suburbs as well. By the same way grand city permit and extension of service for Cherai side buses.

Once the Salim Rajan flyover is constructed, KSRTC buses can leave from MG Road, and some city buses to Vyttila from kaloor side should have been diverted through this route.

Rather centralizing in any bus station, we should have more circular and suburban services to cater the ne residential areas

Some More Suggestions are
1. Extend city services from Kakkanad to a) Pallikkara-Kizhakkambalam b) Medi-College-NAD c) Infopark-karimugal-Puthencuz

2. Introduce Infopark-Smartcity service though Padamugal-CSEZ-infopark Expressway

3. Circular services Vyttila - Kakkanad - Irumbanam- Thripunuthura - Vyttila
4. Buses from cheranallor/paravoor side to Kakkanad-Thripunithura/Chottanikara thought Edapally-Thrikkakkara and CT Road-Kalamassery.

5. Thipunithura-Maradu-Kundanoor-Konthuruthy bridge-Thevara-HighCourt-Kaloor-Thammanam-Thripunithura



+1. Very good suggestions - but like every Manorama report, there are a few factual errors.

The report says that passengers from Aluva to Kakkanad have to change buses at Palarivattam. KSRTC has been operating Aluva-Kakkanad-Tripunithura buses since a very very long time - and the services are fairly frequent as well. In addition to these, KSRTC is also operating cut trips to Kakkanad/Infopark from various places, via Seaport-Airport Road.

The report also talks of low number of services via Edappally-Aroor bypass - anyone who has traveled on that road would know that the report is based on assumptions - than facts.

While I agree that City routes should be re-organised, I do not agree to to basing all of them at Vyttila. In fact, the report talks of reducing buses through city routes, which IMO would have disastrous effects. Instead they should develop a hub and spoke model based at Vyttila as well as Kaloor. The current bus station at Kaloor should be developed into a city bus station. They should run frequent buses from Kaloor to Vyttila via Kathrikadavu.

Vyttila bus station should cater to services via the bypass and towards Kakkanad/Tripunithura. Kaloor would take care of the city routes - i.e., a variation of the current bus services.

So in effect the routes should look like:

Vyttila to Aluva (via bypass), Poothotta, Kakkanad (Via Tripunithura), Aroor (bypass), Fort Kochi/Mattanchery/Island/Edakochi/Thoppumpady (via Kundannoor), Kaloor (via Kathrikadavu), Circular routes via Thammanam, Palarivattom, Kundanoor, Cheranellor (via Palarivattam, Edappally), Chittoor (via kadavanthra, Menaka/Padma), Njarakkal/Cherai (via Kadavanthra, Menaka/Padma), Parur (via Bypass, Edappally, Varapuzha).

Kaloor to Aluva (via Edappally), Fort Kochi/Thoppumpady/Mattachery/Edakochi/Aroor/Kumbalanghi (via current routes - Padma/Menaka, Thevara), Cheranellore (via Edappally), Ponekkara/Elamakkara (current routes), Chittoor (via Kacheripady/Ayyappankavu - this would be a new route), Parur (current route), Njarakkal/Vypin (via High court).

So there would be two spokes, catering to different routes, with little overlaps. In the above example, I haven't suggested all the routes - but just suggestive of what it should look like.

For this to be accomplished, they would have to develop the Kaloor BS like that of Majestic (Bangalore) or the City bus section of CMBT (Chennai). They should also consider building a flyover at Kaloor to reduce congestion.

But on a personal assessment, this route would require cutting of many trees in Park Avenue road, which would invite action of environmentalists. I don't personally join with destruction of the last remaining green belt of the city.

+1 to retaining the green belt, but even MG Road alignment would require cutting off an equal number of trees opposite Maharaja's College Ground.

Perhaps what Dr Homi Bhaba did in Trombay during the construction of BARC (i.e transplanting the trees to another location rather than cutting it off) could be replicated here

^^How can you transplant those huge and old trees? If they were young saplings, maybe.

^^
Pls see Page 60 of this PDF link
http://www.arvindguptatoys.com/arvindgupta/homibhabha.pdf

and also
http://www.ag.ndsu.edu/pubs/plantsci/trees/f1147w.htm#Techniques

^^
Pls see Page 60 of this PDF link
http://www.arvindguptatoys.com/arvindgupta/homibhabha.pdf

and also
http://www.ag.ndsu.edu/pubs/plantsci/trees/f1147w.htm#Techniques

In Kerala, esp. Kochi, its not possible as we see the electric, cable TV, BSNL lines, സോപ്പ് കമ്പനിയുടെ cable etc wherever you go!

If you are talking about transplanting the trees near the college ground, that would be much more difficult than growing a new tree in net efforts.

If you are moving a tree from a greenfield, it would be 'attemptable', but how would you move these trees? Bringing a few huey helos and lift them off is the only way to move them. Not worth any way you cut it.

As it is, people are crying about the real expenses. One surefire way to kill the project is to suggest this additional expense.

(I am already scared. Now that the idea is out in the open, I am sure the demands will come out soon)

Now a days it became very difficult to go to ernakulam daily becasue of the bus routs are now divided in to two-one is by container road and one is vyttila. I think more passengers are travellling to edapplay/palarivattom and vyttila but most of the buses are going to Jetty through container road.Actually this situation being well utiised by private bus operators.We need more buses to vyytila either from kodungallur dipo/from guruvaoor.It is better to have KDLR-Vyttla LS circular buses/ from kodungallur to cherthala/alappuzha circular buses. I have contacted several times to KSRTC zonal office regarding this. I think they don't have good master plan for finanlising profitable roots.

If you are talking about transplanting the trees near the college ground, that would be much more difficult than growing a new tree in net efforts.

If you are moving a tree from a greenfield, it would be 'attemptable', but how would you move these trees? Bringing a few huey helos and lift them off is the only way to move them. Not worth any way you cut it.

As it is, people are crying about the real expenses. One surefire way to kill the project is to suggest this additional expense.

(I am already scared. Now that the idea is out in the open, I am sure the demands will come out soon)

Roadsides are not the ideal places for trees. Not only do they block off possibilities for future development,water continues to drip even after rains causing the road to deteriorate quickly. But the fact however remains that it has taken ages for the trees at Park Avenue and near College Ground to grow to their present levels; and green belts are definitely needed in a city. Old timers would recall the Edapaly-Vytilla Bye Pass had a similar green belt which was lost when made 4 lane.

Transplanting trees is one of the many options to be explored. It is definitely costly and difficult, but relocating them a few meters to the ground / Subash park may be comparatively easier. (Maharajas College Ground also has developed a park there, so pushing the trees back will not reduce the size of the ground) A project worth 5000 crore can definitely afford to spend 5-10 crores extra for this purpose.

Another alternative is developing a dedicated green belt / zone as an extension of Mangalavana and at the Shipyard (it has two or three acres of vacant land near the Dolphin Club and wearabouts); starting immediately at the rate of ten or twenty saplings for every one cut down, so that the trees there reach at least a reasonable height before the existing ones are cut down. As the adage goes, the best time to plant a tree was 20 years ago. The second best time is today.

The debates on environmental impact of Metro rail will come out soon enough regardless of whether we discuss them here or not.

"Poems are made by fools like me; But only God can make a tree" - Joyce Kilmer

Roadsides are not the ideal places for trees. Not only do they block off possibilities for future development,water continues to drip even after rains causing the road to deteriorate quickly. But the fact however remains that it has taken ages for the trees at Park Avenue and near College Ground to grow to their present levels; and green belts are definitely needed in a city. Old timers would recall the Edapaly-Vytilla Bye Pass had a similar green belt which was lost when made 4 lane.

Transplanting trees is one of the many options to be explored. It is definitely costly and difficult, but relocating them a few meters to the ground / Subash park may be comparatively easier. (Maharajas College Ground also has developed a park there, so pushing the trees back will not reduce the size of the ground) A project worth 5000 crore can definitely afford to spend 5-10 crores extra for this purpose.

Another alternative is developing a dedicated green belt / zone as an extension of Mangalavana and at the Shipyard (it has two or three acres of vacant land near the Dolphin Club and wearabouts); starting immediately at the rate of ten or twenty saplings for every one cut down, so that the trees there reach at least a reasonable height before the existing ones are cut down. As the adage goes, the best time to plant a tree was 20 years ago. The second best time is today.

The debates on environmental impact of Metro rail will come out soon enough regardless of whether we discuss them here or not.

"Poems are made by fools like me; But only God can make a tree" - Joyce Kilmer

Well, anyway whether we like METRO to pass thro' MG Road or not on various reasons, the KMRL is already going ahead and there cannot be a scope of rethinking as of now or foreseeable future.

And there cannot be two parallel Metro lines at a distance of 400 meters (MR Road and Park Avenue-Marine drive).

So that question is closed forever.

For Goshree users, in future, the new metro line will start from Banerjee road to Cherai/Paravur side via Vallarpadam. It will also solve their transport issues and make the area into proper urbansphere.

Fort-Kochi Mattacherry as of now, never can dream of a Metro, due to its heritage status and too narrow road. No-one can even bring down a lamp-post there, citing heritage value. So forget about acquisitions over there.

May be in future a Monorail can be considered from MG Road to Fort Kochi region.

In all probabilities, the first line will happen from CIAL to IT Hub of Kakkanad via most of the city and Tripunithara areas, followed by a second line to Cherai......

Another alternative is developing a dedicated green belt / zone as an extension of Mangalavana and at the Shipyard (it has two or three acres of vacant land near the Dolphin Club and wearabouts); starting immediately at the rate of ten or twenty saplings for every one cut down, so that the trees there reach at least a reasonable height before the existing ones are cut down. As the adage goes, the best time to plant a tree was 20 years ago. The second best time is today.

The debates on environmental impact of Metro rail will come out soon enough regardless of whether we discuss them here or not.

"Poems are made by fools like me; But only God can make a tree" - Joyce Kilmer

Well Mangalavanam itself is going to extinct with number of highrises coming around it.

The only possibility is to retain that large space as a scientifically designed Botanical gardens like Lal-Bagh etc, rather wasting it in name of forests where pythons and snakes like happily.

Perhaps, I feel, the park itself can be extended from Marine to Foreshore road with a few acres to be reclaimed from seas. Anyway, huge amount of earth is getting wasted from dredging the channel. It can be used to increase space of park with a new extended walkway from Foreshore road till Marine drive.

The only concern is about Boat Jetty, but I feel it won't be affected much, if designed properly.

The only possibility is to retain that large space as a scientifically designed Botanical gardens like Lal-Bagh etc, rather wasting it in name of forests where pythons and snakes like happily.

Perhaps, I feel, the park itself can be extended from Marine to Foreshore road with a few acres to be reclaimed from seas. Anyway, huge amount of earth is getting wasted from dredging the channel. It can be used to increase space of park with a new extended walkway from Foreshore road till Marine drive.

my thoughts exactly: A green belt with walkways and parks starting from a renovated Mangalavana, crossing over to the backwaters as an extended and widened Marine Drive walkway and ending at Foreshore Road. The present Subash Bose Park & Children park will become part of this belt, as will the exhibition ground and helipad opposite Police Commissioners camp at Marine Drive (some space here should be reserved for a multi-storied car park though - and a reduced area retained for expos. The boat jetties at High Court and Park Avenue can be excluded from further reclamation, and walkways build over the jetty buildings, as planned.

Well, anyway whether we like METRO to pass thro' MG Road or not on various reasons, the KMRL is already going ahead and there cannot be a scope of rethinking as of now or foreseeable future.

Until the formal approval from center comes and the court disposes off the writ petition, the scope for reconsideration always exists. KMRL may however go ahead with the MG Road widening even now. That will benefit regardless of whether metro passes through there or not.

Until the formal approval from center comes and the court disposes off the writ petition, the scope for reconsideration always exists. KMRL may however go ahead with the MG Road widening even now. That will benefit regardless of whether metro passes through there or not.

Approval is now just a formal procedure. The ball has set rolling. Its basically a political decision, directly taken by Prime Minister himself. Ofcourse the Kerala Lobby in PMO has played the role well. Now rest of all the pending process are mere formalities.

Thats the main reason why OC, Tom Jose and even the most credible E.Sreedharan confidently telling about the approvals....

Then coming to Kerala HC, its also mere process. The court cannot stop the works, because its an executive decision. Unless any party has a reason to aggrieve, courts cannot merely stay a process. Here the party has no reason to grievances. Nor Railways have objected pulling down North ROB. The Petitioner cannot step into Railway's shoes and seek for a stay. This is the very reason, the court has not stayed the proceedings. Then, ofcourse it has to hear every petition which comes before it.

In all likely terms, the case will be dismissed and petitioner will be fined for wasting the court's time.

And alignment is already fixed. The objection of petitioner is not about alignment, but fake reasons like 6.82 lakh population of Cochin Corporation as defined by Corporation of Cochin Act 1962 or Railways permission for ROB etc.... Hence even if Court stays the proceedings, it won't result a change in alignment.

^^

Pls. see your own post (#208) where it states one aspect of the petition is to extend the metro alignment to High Court.

....and Railways have nothing to do with the carriageways that are now pulled down. It's only the portion over the railway line that concerns them and for which their permission is required, and this is a very valid and serious point. (of course, if the railways have already approved it, well and good... but the silence from the authorities on this part even after repeated requests for clarification leads to speculations)



Now rgarding the involvement of the railways in the metro rail (totally UNRELEATED to the issue of North ROB)

The Centre is expected to give its nod for the Kochi Metro Rail project in another month, since the Union Urban Development Ministry has prepared a Cabinet note suggesting its implementation on the lines of the Chennai Metro, Mananging Director of Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) E. Sreedharan said.

Talking to The Hindu on Saturday, he said that the note would be sent to the Planning Commission and the Union Finance and Railway ministries. They would in turn send their comments to the Union Cabinet which would take a final decision on the project. The Planning Commission had given in-principle nod for the project over a month ago.
http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/article2542432.ece



This is contradictory to what we heard a few days ago
He also refuted the petitioner's contention that the nod of Indian Railways was required for the project. Urban transportation falls under the Union Urban Development Ministry. The Ministry permits States to set up their metro-rail and other urban transportation systems.

True, the ultimate decision rests with Urban Dev. Ministry (and I too have no doubts the approval will come) but to say that Railways have no role to play is incorrect.

What is the court going to do? Decree that "The Metro Shall Come to HighCourt"? The court can not 'order' such things. It is upto the government to decide these things based on ground realities.

^^

Pls. see your own post (#208) where it states one aspect of the petition is to extend the metro alignment to High Court.

....and Railways have nothing to do with the carriageways that are now pulled down. It's only the portion over the railway line that concerns them and for which their permission is required, and this is a very valid and serious point. (of course, if the railways have already approved it, well and good... but the silence from the authorities on this part even after repeated requests for clarification leads to speculations)

Now rgarding the involvement of the railways in the metro rail (totally UNRELEATED to the issue of North ROB)

Thats not my statement, rather its want printed in newspaper, which I quoted here....

Well, as Dileepettan said, what will court able to do? Can court fix the alignment? How can a court say that the alignment should be made to High Court Junction, so that we judges can take a ride and come to court for work? Ofcourse our court will not say it.

Its again, one of the several fake arguments raised by petitioner to appease their boss. Metro cannot pass in front of everyone's gate. If there are commuters at High Court Junction, they can align at Banerjee Road station and walk 300 meters to reach the junction. Ofcourse court has not decree anything. Its just an argument before the court, which ofcourse has counter objection filed.

Well, railways gesture may appear silence to us. Perhaps KMRL or Govt might have got formal/informal approvals from them, which we don't know. Or if Railways have any complain, they could have issued a Stop Memo, which too didn't happen. So we don't know whether railways agreed or not.

But definitely a govt/agency building up such facilities cannot do things without obtaining nessecary permissions, atleast in private.

For example, none of us, know whether Railways have approved Ponnurunni ROB or not. Yet works are going on and RBCK has invested a lot. At front level, its CVCC invested into the project, for which they get reimbursed by concerned dept. If the project is not approved, will a private company invest this much amount? What will happens if the railways stay the project and RBCK/KMRL donot pay untill court's decision? Ofcourse they can go to the court, but will any sensible private contractor willing to take such a risk?

So its assumed already they might have got necessary permissions.

I have slightly different opinion and few more suggestions; we should mind the suburban services/buses when considering city bus traffic.

Just think about the traffic problems if all of the north and north-east bound line buses are centered in Vyttila. We know still a good number of buses to KSRTC Stand and Jetty are passing through north bridge.

The ideal halting place for Guruvayoor/Kozhikode/Kodungallur bound buses, including which are servicing to Jetty is nowhere but Kaloor.

Vyttila may not be a right place for Perumbavoor/Kothmangalam bound buses. Instead of South RLw.Station, Those buses can be start from Kaloor.
Perumbavoor,Muvattupuzha(kakkanad) buses used to start from south railway station karikkamuri road long back. these Buses are forced to first moved to somewhere near highcourt, then near kaloor bus stand. the most practical choice was kaloor.
Buses from Perumbavoor-Kothamangalam and Kakkanad bound Muvattupuzha buses should be allowed to enter city(kaloor) regardless of LS/FP or KMS covered in each schedule. people are confused that some buses(ordinary) are starting from Kaloor.

halting at Vyttila is like the buses that too from suburban areas are dumped in the outer area. these buses(perumbavur,muvattupuzha) never entered kaloor bus stand; instead they were parked at manapattiparambe. they are not creating traffic chaos. but, they are also shifted to VMH :(

Allow Entry for long distance Buses starting from Vyttila to Kaloor stand for Parur Route? through Thammanam-Palarivattom route or even NH?

Rather centralizing in any bus station, we should have more circular and suburban services to cater the ne residential areas
Agreed. but, since VMH is a Priority for authorities.. :) when there is not even single flyover anywhere near city in NH47..

Some More Suggestions are
1. Extend city services from Kakkanad to a) Pallikkara-Kizhakkambalam b) Medi-College-NAD c) Infopark-karimugal-Puthencuz

Where is the damn Road? there is no widening in between kakkanad athani to pallikkara except some rubberized road from veega land to pallikkara. :(

Regarding City permit services for buses to thiruvaniyoor,puthenkurish,pallikkara etc.. do these routes satisfy the kilometer limit(afaik?). I think not.

What is the court going to do? Decree that "The Metro Shall Come to HighCourt"? The court can not 'order' such things. It is upto the government to decide these things based on ground realities.

maybe, but the court can always ask the government to reconsider / go for a fresh survey etc, as they have done many times in the past.... I am not saying this will happen here, only that the possibility exists. (but in my personal opinion I do hope the court does this because the Marine Drive alignment is much more beneficial than MG Road alignment.)

Then, ofcourse it has to hear every petition which comes before it.

Not necessary. The court can refuse to entertain or simply reject a petition straightaway without adjourning it if it is without any grounds. I reiterate, the first point about the Corporation area is absurd, but the other two points are valid.

^^^^^^^^

Well, the first thing, the govt/authorites do is to increase limit of city buses from current 650 to atleast 1000 or 1200..... The limit of 650 buses was decided when the city was less than 1 million population. Today we are 2.2 million populated city and requires a minimum of 1200 buses, which I feel is just bare enough. Ofcourse I won't ask more, as there is no more further roads to hold beyond this capacity.

Railways are responsible to build the span over their right of way. Whoever is building the ROB should get the design approved by them first. Then railways will get the work done. Of course they can entrust the work to RBDCK, because RBDCK is a qualified contractor. Remember the kathrikadavu bridge did lay dormant for a long time while railways babus sat on the contract for their spans. OTOH, the railways spans for the edapally bridge was finished long before the rest of the work was done.

I wouldn't be surprised if there are delays from railways. There are a lot of people out there who don't want the metro to become reality, and many of them have influence at various places. We would sure miss leadership that would cause the babus 'pee-in-the-safari-suit' a-la Karunakaran here.

^^
Exactly what I am trying to convey

For example, none of us, know whether Railways have approved Ponnurunni ROB or not. Yet works are going on and RBCK has invested a lot.

The railways for sure is NOT going to reject or object to the reconstruction of North ROB or construction of any ROB for that matter. The entire issue here is of the time factor, considering the critical nature of North ROB. Evn Saleem Rajan KSRTC ROB is in the same boat, but there are no apprehensions there as it is a new road and any delays is tolerable, unlike North ROB where a existing and major bridge is being demolished.

It's the experience with Pulleppady ROB where the railways delayed the project for two-three years and the court had to be moved before the railway bureaucracy moved its wheels that raise the entire apprehension. As I have said before, it railway approval is not obtained as of now or is not forthcoming soon, then the claim of reconstruction within 14 months will not happen.

I have slightly different opinion and few more suggestions; we should mind the suburban services/buses when considering city bus traffic.


Since hopefully metro will become a reality soon (3.5 years if all goes well), a major and comprehensive review and reorganization of the bus routes should be undertaken only after metro services start running. The planning of course can start now.

What I would suggest:

1. Vytilla as hub for busses to all eastern suburbs of Tripunithura and beyond, Kakkanad, southern suburbs such as Kumbalam, Arur; and also some busses to West Kochi
2. Kaloor as hub for northern destinations such as Chittoor, Elamakkara, Cheranallur, Parur, Goshree Islands. A few busses to Kakkanad also
3. High Court as hub for busses to West Kochi (via Menaka, South Railway Station, Ravipuram: If metro comes via Marine Drive, these busses to take MG Road)

Also a circular route Kaloor-Kadavanthara Road, High Court/MG Road (depending on metro) - South railway Station - KK Road

1. Vytilla as hub for busses to all eastern suburbs of Tripunithura and beyond, Kakkanad, southern suburbs such as Kumbalam, Arur; and also some busses to West Kochi
2. Kaloor as hub for northern destinations such as Chittoor, Elamakkara, Cheranallur, Parur, Goshree Islands. A few busses to Kakkanad also
3. High Court as hub for busses to West Kochi (via Menaka, South Railway Station, Ravipuram: If metro comes via Marine Drive, these busses to take MG Road)

Also a circular route Kaloor-Kadavanthara Road, High Court/MG Road (depending on metro) - South railway Station - KK Road


Good Points.

Well, I don't know whether our authorities have observed or not. Success of a metro always relay on effectiveness of Metro special feeder buses, that connect from each and every point to the nearest metro station. I am sure, none of authorities have ever thought how many feeder services required and in which all routes and directions. Moreover feeder services are never considered part of regular city buses, as they are effectively considered as part of metro. Hence it should not be brought under RTA's 650 limit law for Kochi.


Secondly sir, I don't understand how can HIGH COURT Junction be used as hub for West Kochi buses? Will all the buses park/wait in middle of Marine Drive road as of now? Even with limited buses, that road in front of erstwhile Commissioner's office looks horrible with several bus and jeeps stopping for people bound to Goshree.

Its true, there should be another hub for Goshree. But definitely it cannot be middle of a busy road, that too in a posh area.

I feel, instead of making HC Junction as hub for West Kochi, the Park station can redesigned and developed into a proper bus terminus for buses bound to west Kochi. Its a good point, as it is located in heart.

Secondly Goshree should be made part of Kochi city bus network. Currently, it remains mostly private bus and Thirukochi services that ply in this route. I feel extending city permits to here, would enlarge the city permits as well as better connectivity to Goshree.

I don't understand how can HIGH COURT Junction be used as hub for West Kochi buses? Will all the buses park/wait in middle of Marine Drive road as of now? Even with limited buses, that road in front of erstwhile Commissioner's office looks horrible with several bus and jeeps stopping for people bound to Goshree.


There is land earmarked for a bus stand near High Court (near CMFRI on the Goshree Road). It's meant to cater to the Goshree busses, but I too hold the opinion that Goshree busses should be integrated with the city network. Once metro comes the busses terminating at High Court anyway require extension to a hub where metro touches (which would be either Kaloor or South Rly Station if metro is via MG Road).

But yes, these are initial thoughts and require much refinements. Maybe another option is to divert the West Kochi busses via Marine Drive to Kalamassery via container Road.

Basing them at Park station would eliminate two important stops: Menaka and High Court.

In any case, the major mode of connectivity between Ernakulam and West Kochi (especially Mattancherry and Fort Kochi) should be boats and not busses. Boats cover the distance in half the time, costs only 25% of the bus fare, reduce traffic congestion, saves fuel, and if the service is proper, a pleasurable experience.

Metro may touch Kakkanad in Phase 1 itself

The Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) is chalking out plans to extend the Kochi metro rail up to Kakkanad by establishing an alignment towards the IT hub from Palarivattom.

“The provision to have a branch towards Kakkanad has been incorporated in the project's design since the area is developing in big way,” said the managing director of DMRC E. Sreedharan, while speaking to The Hindu . This is aimed at increasing passenger patronage for the Kochi metro.

“We would make available land and other provisions at the open space in front of the Nehru International Stadium for the metro trains to take a turn towards Palarivattom Junction along the existing one-way road. The trains can then proceed to Kakkanad through the Palarivattom Bypass Junction, said the agency's Kochi project director P. Sriram.

For this, land would have to be acquired along the St. Martin's Church-Palarivattom Junction stretch and up to Kakkanad. Encroachers en route, especially at Vazhakkala, would have to be removed.

“The distance up to the Kakkanad Smart City site from Palarivattom would be over 8 km. We are willing to carry out the extension along with work on the proposed Aluva-Pettah alignment, if the State and Centre provide funds,” Mr. Sriram said.

The DMRC and Kochi Metro Rail Limited (KMRL) had pledged their support to extend the metro rail up to the Kochi international airport. Apart from air passengers, this would help people reach Kochi city from Angamaly too, aiding the expansion of the city towards the suburbs.

The airport link could be made by extending the metro-rail alignment by another 8 km — the distance between Aluva and the airport.

Mr. Sriram expressed concern over the delay in obtaining sanction to demolish the two-wheeler bay on the northern side of the North overbridge in the city. The dismantling of the bay on the southern side began a week ago. “Our contractor had made all plans to begin pulling down the northern bay on Sunday. The undue delay is resulting in costly machinery idling,” he said.

District Collector P. I. Sheikh Pareeth said that the delay in repairing the Kacheripady-Pachalam and Kacheripady-Valanjambalam roads was delaying traffic diversion and dismantling of the northern bay. “It might take another few days to repair the roads,” he said.

http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/tp-kerala/article2544571.ece

1. Extension to Kakkanad is a welcome move. I was expecting extension of the Pettah end to Kakkanad via Tripunithura and Irumpanam, but the branch off from Palarivattom is probably better, for it will help decongest the Palarivattom-Kakkanad road, and accelerate its widening to 4 lane.

2. "The undue delay is resulting in costly machinery idling" says it all regarding the attitude towards North ROB demolition. Fact is that the delay is not undue, as even the Collector agrees this time round.

^^^^^^^^:banana::banana:

Good Move....

So basically the Palarivattom-Kakkanad would effectively be a second line rather than a branch. Because in Metros, there is no branch system like trains or buses. There can be only various fixed routes which will be color lined coded. Aluva-Petta (Perhaps soon it will be CIAL-PETTA) line and Palarivattom-Kakkanad line would be effectively two different lines.

Though its a good move, I personally felt, the better option was starting the line from Kalamassery to Petta, via SP/AP road, so that entire road would be developed into an urban corridor. LA also won't be time consuming in this stretch as anyway RBCK has to do LA for development of SP/AP.

Moreover it would have created a circle. I feel the Metro officials might have thought it would go into a cost over-runs due to increased distance. Anyway good to see Metro connectivity to IT hub of Kochi

http://img33.imageshack.us/img33/7885/14657781.jpg

Mathrubhumi started campaign against corporation go-slow policy over forming Kochi Cats, the inland water-connectivity between islands and other places.

The CDIA and Swedish officials recently held talks with corporation to fasten the process and agreed to manage the services. But it seems Corporation has some fixed agenda and the Swedish Officials have been disappointed.....

----------

Lets wait and watch for the effect of Campaign. Last time, their campaign for Ambedkar stadium bore fruit. I feel, the officials must meet Collector for his effective action, than wasting time with an useless Mayor and his gang who wants to delay every project to please everyone.....

^^^^^^^^

Well, the first thing, the govt/authorites do is to increase limit of city buses from current 650 to atleast 1000 or 1200..... The limit of 650 buses was decided when the city was less than 1 million population. Today we are 2.2 million populated city and requires a minimum of 1200 buses, which I feel is just bare enough. Ofcourse I won't ask more, as there is no more further roads to hold beyond this capacity.

^^ We need facts and not fiction. You are calling the whole U/A of Ernakulam as Kochi city. What an idea sirji. Mods, please take note of this. He is posting totally wrong information here, trying to spread wrong info. It is known to all of us that Kochi City has a population of a little more than 6 lakhs. If your numbers are the norm, Thrissur city is having 18 lakhs population and Malappuram City, 17 lakhs. Wow :lol:

^^ We need facts and not fiction. You are calling the whole U/A of Ernakulam as Kochi city. What an idea sirji. Mods, please take note of this. He is posting totally wrong information here, trying to spread wrong info. It is known to all of us that Kochi City has a population of a little more than 6 lakhs. If your numbers are the norm, Thrissur city is having 18 lakhs population and Malappuram City, 17 lakhs. Wow :lol:

Ohh you seems to be stuck with 1962 era!!! Good.... Mr. Vijay.... The Cochin city was defined in 1962. There is no freeze in real life..... Any fool knows the city has grown and thats why Census Authority donot consider population of a city limits defined by political leadership as official, rather created their own concept of U/A.

No one, including Left or right wants to merge many parts of the real city to formal city. Its mainly political reasons and business interest/pressures. Corporation charges a higher corporation taxes and business lobby will try all possible means to avoid maximum areas out of corporation limits. There was a strong move even to retain Thrikkakara as a panchyat, despite of being the IT HUB. It was just because of K.Babu's efforts, the last govt decided to upgrade to municipality.

Do you believe Thrikkakara, Maradu, Aluva, Goshree islands not part of city? Any Investment bound to Kochi is happening in this stretch, not inside corporation limits of 1962.

And RTA also considers U/A more as city. Thats why Kochi Red bus operates from Aluva to Aroor as well as in Thrikkara..... And City buses of Thirukochi operating upto Udayamperoor and Goshree Islands....

I can understand you feelings... Don't worry try next time!!!

Why do you guys fight over such pointless issues?

:nuts:

The Census 2011 figures are out.

Kochi UA population is 2,117,990 and city population is 601,574. City boundaries are just political boundaries which can be expanded if politicans and officals want to. What matters is the urban population spread which is best measured in terms of urban agglomeration. For comprehensive urban planning the urban agglomeration needs to be considered. It would be nice if census also published maps and areas of the city and agglomeration areas.

Since Moderator Suncity as given his comment, I feel its almost like a ruling. I seek or appeal for ending this discussion, to avoid any instance of potential bashing in future. Lets forget and forgive.....:)

2. "The undue delay is resulting in costly machinery idling" says it all regarding the attitude towards North ROB demolition. Fact is that the delay is not undue, as even the Collector agrees this time round.

Wasn't the delay undue? If the city corporation had taken efforts to keep the roads in good condition through out, they wouldn't have had to wait so long. Kochi's roads are in poor condition for 11 out of 12 months each year - if that wasn't the case, the delay would've been a week at the most - the time to install diversion boards and chalk out diversion plans.

Wasn't the delay undue? If the city corporation had taken efforts to keep the roads in good condition through out, they wouldn't have had to wait so long. Kochi's roads are in poor condition for 11 out of 12 months each year - if that wasn't the case, the delay would've been a week at the most - the time to install diversion boards and chalk out diversion plans.

True, the Corporation is primarily responsible. But that does not change the ground situation. From the DMRC's perspective the delay may be undue, but if they are allowed to proceed with the demolition immediately because the contractors machinery is idling, the common man will suffer.

I was actually expecting big time congestion in the first week of the diversion, and then the situation slowly limping to manageable levels in the diverted roads. But strangely for some reason the opposite has happened. The first week went off more or less smooth, but starting this Monday the diverted roads are witnessing heavy traffic snarls ... and the police still remain as before, and are even more strict in enforcing one-ways compared to last week.

Mathrubhumi started campaign against corporation go-slow policy over forming Kochi Cats, the inland water-connectivity between islands and other places.

Lovely pic, Kochi is beautiful :)

^^^^^^^^

Every mammoth new project had initial oppositions within the society.

https://picasaweb.google.com/103152673601330932411/October82011


Hope to see some new initiative like above keep in mind about future.
As a Keralite want to see kerala should ahead in technology atleast in future.

With smart city,container terminal,Lulu hyper market and many more projects to come future will be congested without doubt. Also almost every middle class family started buying cars. They also want to ride it in to their office, work place, functions etc.. na?

We are only starting now it will take almost 5 years to complete! Think friends 5 years before what was the car density and what it will be after 5-10 years. I think after main stream electric cars like nissan leaf, chevy volt etc.. come in to picture peoples intake will be more. (Provided koodamkulam like projects also should come online!)

Metro will be surely a hit without doubt! Even here in bangalore around 10000 buses are there in road then also metro is a big hit. Think almost all roads in bangalore are 4 line one way traffic. More busses = more traffic jam+polution.

Within 10-15 years bangalore all the areas will be connected by metro.They are planning phase 3 and beyond even now itself.

Let us combine all skycity, metro highspeed rail link to airport, elevated hghway, even water way altogether to save cost. If we do so, cochin will definitely a magnet for hightech industries, and heavy industries alike.
Dont think for profit for 10 years after that automatically it will pay back!