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Kochi Water Metro | Projects & updates

113K views 244 replies 39 participants last post by  Malayaali 
#1 · (Edited by Moderator)
This thread is to discuss the development of Proposed Water Metro Project of Kerala Government in city of Kochi, aiming to connect various parts of city with high speed ferry connections
 
#99 ·
AECOM to become General Consultant for Kochi Water Metro

In a major development, Aecom Consortium (a joint venture of Aecom India Pvt. Ltd., Urban Mass Transit Company Ltd., and Zebec Marine Consultants Service Pvt. Ltd.) has been appointed general consultant for the ₹819-crore Water Metro project, an integrated water transport system in the Greater Kochi region.

The work will be awarded to the consortium after clearance from German bank KfW, which is funding the project and also after the approval of Kochi Metro Rail Limited (KMRL) director board, a press release from the KMRL said. The 78 vessels to be procured under the project over four years will link the city with surrounding islands, West Kochi, and other coastal regions, becoming a water-based feeder service for the Kochi metro.

The general consultant will be in charge of project management, planning, construction and supervision of routes, boats, jetties, navigation, operational control centre, and utilities such as automatic fare collection. It will also supervise activities such as dredging, construction of approach roads to jetties, and development of jetty premises, which include commercial retail and operation and upkeep of the project. It will review the detailed project report (DPR) prepared by the New Delhi-based UMTC and suggest revisions and modifications.

Egis Consortium (Egis India Consulting Engineers Pvt. Ltd., Egis International) and Inros Lackner SE Consortium (Inros Lackner SE, GOPA, Tata Consulting Engineers Ltd., Fibroplast Marine Pvt. Ltd.) were the other consortiums that were in the fray to win the bid.

In the first stage, 15 bidders responded to the Expression of Interest, from which three consortiums were shortlisted after a technical evaluation. The three were asked to submit the Request for Proposal.

First phase

“With the general consultant coming on board, the water transport project is set to gather momentum, and we have geared ourselves up to ensure that the first lot of boats are in the water corridor by the last quarter of 2018,” said Elias George, Managing Director, KMRL.

The total cost of the project is ₹747 crore, excluding ₹72 crore for land acquisition. German bank KfW will extend a financial assistance of €85 million (₹597 crore) as a long-term soft loan. Of this, ₹102 crore will be repaid by the State government.

The advent of the Water Metro will make Kochi the first Indian city where water transport is developed as a feeder service to the metro rail. The project envisages the development of 16 routes, connecting 38 jetties across 10 islands and spans a total route network of 76 km.

The project will see 78 fast, modern, fuel-efficient ferries plying to 18 major and 20 minor destinations.
 
#102 ·
A three-member team of KfW, the German bank, which is funding the Water Metro project, visited Kochi Metro Rail Limited today. The officials Mr.Robert Valkovic, Mr. Felix Klauda and Ms. Angelika Zwicky visited KMRL and had discussions with Elias George, Managing Director of Kochi Metro Rail Limited and the officials working for the project. They also visited the major boat jetties involved in the project.

Kochi Metro Rail Limited all set to start the implementation of Water Metro project as the General consultant has been selected. The KfW team held discussions with KMRL regarding the next steps to be taken in realization of the project as soon as the GC is on board.

KMRL is planning this project not just as the transportation project, but also as a livelihood improvement program by developing the access and improve the living conditions of the people in islands. The project will also work as the feeder system to Kochi Metro.

The Water Metro project envisages the development of 16 identified routes, connecting 38 jetties across 10 islands with a total route network of 76km. KMRL is planning to complete the project in two phases in 4 years time.





 
#105 ·
Kochi Water Metro works to commence by next month.



KMRL has decided to commence the preparatory works within a month and launch Water Metro works by end of the month.

The coordination committee which has members of various panchayat presidents and KMRL has decided to start the works at the earliest. AECOM, the general consultant will start on coordination works shortly.

KMRL board is expected to issue approval by end of this month for the Water Metro.

The initial works will be concentrated on 16 routes spread over 10 panchayats.
 
#106 ·


കൊച്ചി വാട്ടര്* മെട്രോ(Kochi Water Metro) പദ്ധതിയുടെ ആദ്യഘട്ടം 2019-ല്* പൂര്*ത്തിയാക്കാനുള്ള നടപടികള്* സര്*ക്കാര്* സ്വീകരിച്ചു വരികയാണെന്ന് ബഹുമാനപ്പെട്ട കേരള മുഖ്യമന്ത്രി ശ്രീ. പിണറായി വിജയന്* (Pinarayi Vijayan)നിയമസഭയില്* പറഞ്ഞു. പദ്ധതിക്ക് വായ്പ നല്*കുന്ന ജര്*മ്മനിയിലെ കെ.എഫ്.ഡബ്ല്യു ഡെവലപ്പ്മെന്*റ് ബാങ്ക് അധികൃതര്* പദ്ധതിയുടെ പ്രവര്*ത്തന പുരോഗതി വിലയിരുത്തി സന്തുഷ്ടി അറിയിച്ചിട്ടുണ്ട്. ഇതിന്*റെ ജനറല്* കണ്*സള്*ട്ടന്റിന്*റെ നിയമനം അവസാനഘട്ടത്തിലാണ്. ജനറല്* കണ്*സള്*ട്ടന്റിനെ നിയമിച്ചാല്* 20 മാസത്തിനുള്ളില്* ആദ്യഘട്ടം പൂര്*ത്തിയാക്കാനാവും. സ്ഥലം ഏറ്റെടുക്കാനുള്ള നടപടികള്* ആരംഭിച്ചു.പാരിസ്ഥിതി അനുമതിക്കുള്ള ശ്രമം നടക്കുകയാണ്.

ഒന്നാം ഘട്ടം പൂര്*ത്തിയായാല്* വികസനത്തെക്കുറിച്ച് ആലോചിക്കാമെന്നും കൊച്ചി കായലിന്*റെ വിവിധ ഭാഗങ്ങളില്* താമസിക്കുന്നവര്*ക്ക് ഗതാഗതത്തിനും ജീവിത സാഹചര്യം മെച്ചപ്പെടുത്തുന്നതിനും ഉദ്ദേശിച്ചുള്ളതാണ് കൊച്ചി സംയോജിത ജലപാത പദ്ധതിയെന്നും അദ്ദേഹം അഭിപ്രായപ്പെട്ടു.
Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan informed Niyamasabha that the Kochi Water Metro will be commissioned by first quarter of 2019.

German Bank KfW is the main funding partner and they expressed their satisfaction in the ongoing preparatory works. The appointment of general consultant is expected to happen by end of this year and approx 20 months required to complete the works of Water metro.

Land acquisition process are underway and EIA works will be commencing shortly.
 
#108 ·
കൊച്ചി ജലമെട്രോ ജനറൽ കൺസൽട്ടൻസിയായി എയ്കോം കൺസോർട്യത്തെ നിയമിച്ചു

KMRL director board approves appointing AECOM consortium as general consultant for Kochi Water Metro.
കൊച്ചി ജലമെട്രോയുടെ ജനറൽ കൺസൽട്ടൻസിയായി എയ്കോം കൺസോർട്യത്തെ നിയമിച്ചു. ചൊവ്വാഴ്ച ഡൽഹിയിൽ ചേർന്ന കെ.എം.ആർ.എൽ ഡയറക്ടർ ബോർഡ് യോഗത്തിലാണ് തീരുമാനം.

ഏകീകൃത പൊതുഗതാഗത സംവിധാനത്തിലേക്കുള്ള ആദ്യ ചുവടുെവപ്പായ ജല മെട്രോ പദ്ധതിയുടെ വിശദമായ േപ്രാജക്ട് തയാറായിട്ടുണ്ടെങ്കിലും നിർമാണ പ്രവർത്തനങ്ങൾ ആരംഭിക്കുന്നതിനുള്ള ജനറൽ കൺസൽട്ടൻസിയുടെ പരിശോധനയാണ് നിലവിൽ ശേഷിക്കുന്നത്. െചാവ്വാഴ്ച ചേർന്ന് കെ.എം.ആർ.എൽ ഡയറക്ടർ ബോർഡ് യോഗം എയ്കോം കൺസോർട്യത്തെ തെരഞ്ഞെടുത്തതോടെ തുടർ നടപടികൾ വേഗത്തിലാകുമെന്നാണ് പ്രതീക്ഷ. എയ്കോം ഇന്ത്യ ലിമിറ്റഡ്, അർബൻ മാസ് ട്രാൻസിറ്റ്, സിബെക് മറൈൻ കൺസൽട്ടൻറ് സർവിസ് എന്നീ മൂന്ന് കമ്പനികൾ ചേർന്നതാണ് കൺസോർട്യം. 38 കോടി രൂപക്കാണ് കൺസൽട്ടൻസി കരാർ നൽകിയിരിക്കുന്നത്.

പുതിയ പദ്ധതികൾക്ക് പി.പി.പി മാതൃക വേണമെന്ന കേന്ദ്ര സർക്കാർ നിർദേശം കൊച്ചി മെട്രോയുടെ രണ്ടാം ഘട്ടത്തിനു ബാധകമാകില്ലെന്ന് യോഗത്തിനുശേഷം കെ.എം.ആർ.എൽ എം.ഡി ഏലിയാസ് ജോർജ് വ്യക്തമാക്കി. ഇക്കാര്യത്തിൽ നഗര വികസന മന്ത്രാലയത്തിന് അനുകൂല നിലപാടാണുള്ളതെന്നും അദ്ദേഹം കൂട്ടിച്ചേർത്തു.
 
#109 ·
Water Metro consultancy agreement signed





AECOM Consortium (AECOM India Pvt. Ltd, Urban Mass Transit Company Ltd. and Zebec Marine Consultants Service Pvt Ltd.) the successful bidder as General Consultant for Integrated Water transport project of Kochi Metro Rail Limited has signed an LOA (Letter of Agreement) with KMRL today. Mr. Sanjeev Gupta, Regional Director of AECOM, the lead partner of the consortium and Mr. Konain Khan, General Manager, Water Transport, Operations and Maintenance signed the agreement in the presence of Director Finance, Shri. Abraham Oommen. The consortium members Mr. Ankush Malhotra from UMTC and Mr. Naval J Oonwala from Zebac were also present on the occasion

Kochi Water Metro is envisaged to connect the people residing around the Kochi backwaters to main land and thereby to improve their livelihood and economic status.

KMRL has initiated the process for Environmental clearance for the project and expecting to initiate further proceedings depending upon receipt of Environmental and other clearances. German Funding Agency KfW, during their visit in April 2017, has expressed satisfaction on the overall progress.

As per DPR, the first phase operation is envisaged 20 months from appointment of GC. As per loan agreement with KfW, the first phase operation has to start by last quarter of 2019.
 
#111 ·
Metro consultant visits proposed boat jetty sites
KOCHI: The Kochi Metro Rail Ltd (KMRL) has speeded up the process for implementing Water Metro. The general consultant, a consortium of AECOM, Zebec Marine Consultants & Services and Urban Mass Transit Company Ltd, for the integrated water transport project visited the sites of proposed jetties along with officials of the Water Metro wing.

"We have asked the general consultant to review the detailed project report (DPR) and submit recommendations required for finalizing it. Moreover, they will also have to prepare documents required for obtaining various permissions, including environment clearance. Their assistance is needed to obtain these clearances," said KMRL spokesperson.

Meanwhile, KMRL is involved in discussion with panchayats in the project area regarding implementation of the project. They have held three to four rounds of discussion with the local bodies. The general consultant has been directed to provide a schedule for timely implementation of the project. The Metro agency wants the first phase of Water Metro to be ready in a span of two years.

Once the DPR is finalized, the Metro agency can finalize revenue requisition.

"Though we have a broad idea on how much land is required for the project, the final DPR will provide exact specification. Then it will be possible for us to approach the revenue department," added the spokesperson.

Finalization of tender documents will set the stage for preparing tender documents. The general consultant has also been entrusted with the task of preparing these documents.

The KMRL said that the Water Metro wing has started functioning with "bare minimum staff". They have already brought in naval architects and marine engineers. The Metro agency is looking for a general manager for the water transport project.

The Rs 819-crore water transport project is expected to improve the connectivity of islands in Kochi backwaters with the main land.

It not only improves transportation facility but also the livelihood of people living on the islands.

The project is being funded by German bank KfW. The project envisages development of 16 routes, connecting 38 jetties across 10 islands and spans a total route network of 76 km.

The project will see 78 fast, modern, fuel-efficient ferries plying to 18 major and 20 minor destinations.
 
#113 ·
KMRL, GCDA to sign MoU for Water Metro project
The Kochi Metro Rail Ltd and Greater Cochin Development (GCDA) for developing jetties, marina and associated facilities as part of implementing Water Metro project. The metro agency will use GCDA's land available along the water front for developing jetties.

"GCDA owns many property along Water Metro route, which can use used for developing basic infrastructure. In the initial stage the focus is on constructing floating jetty on the water front between KSINC boat jetty and SWTD boat jetty," said KMRL spokesperson.

KMRL said they were looking at the project from a "wider perspective". The boat jetties developed for Water Metro will facilitate docking of tourist boats along with passenger boats. "Our aim is to construct jetty complex which will have commercial establishments and refreshment toilet complexes. We will have to pay GCDA a fee for using their property," added the spokesperson.

The integrated jetty facility will facilitate Water Metro operations without affecting free movement of pedestrians on the marine drive walkway.

KMRL and GCDA will sign a memorandum of understanding (MoU) on Wednesday for developing the integrated boat jetties which meet global standards.
 
#115 ·
Water Metro Hub to change the face of Marine Drive.




A boat jetty, marina and allied amenities of global standards near Marine Drive will soon be a reality as Kochi Metro Rail Limited (KMRL) and the Greater Cochin Development Authority (GCDA) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding as part of the proposed ₹819-crore Water Metro project.

The agreement was signed by Konain Khan, General Manager (Operation, Maintenance & Water Transport) of KMRL, and M.C. Joseph, GCDA Secretary, in the presence of C.N. Mohanan, GCDA Chairman, and Elias George, KMRL’s Managing Director, on Wednesday.

A high-power committee comprising representatives of the GCDA and the KMRL has been formed to brainstorm the implementation of the project. The committee is likely to come up with a design and investment pattern for the project in a month’s time. The integrated jetty facility and marina will accommodate water metro operations, and will have the capacity to accommodate nearly 150 tourist boats, which will provide safe and secure access to tourists and passengers, without affecting free movement of pedestrians on the Marine Drive walkway.

Speaking on the occasion, Mr. Mohanan said the State government had allotted the GCDA ₹4.50 crore for developing a boat jetty of global standards alongside Marine Drive when Kochi Metro came up with the Water Metro project. “The GCDA will now hand over the land proposed for the project to the KMRL which has the professional expertise to execute it in a time-bound manner,” he said.

Mr. George said the Water Metro, aimed at making local communities dotting the Kochi backwaters part of the city’s growth story, would turn out to be a real game changer for Kochi. The boat jetty to be developed in association with the GCDA will be the first of the 38 jetties to be set up by the KMRL in connection with the Water Metro project.

He said that Water Metro would go beyond the proposed 78 vessels and 38 boat jetties as it aimed at providing a slew of other facilities, including internal roads for the benefit of local communities, deployment of electric buses for facilitating their transportation up to boat jetties, extending technical assistance to the local bodies concerned to undertake the required work in modern ways, and much more. “We were a bit scared as the proposed 38 jetties were owned by different agencies. The GCDA has to be appreciated for their enlightened approach of joining hands with the KMRL. We now hope that other local bodies will follow the model set by the GCDA,” Mr. George said.

The 78 vessels to be procured under the Water Metro project by 2021 will link the city with surrounding islands, West Kochi, and other coastal regions, becoming an extension of Kochi metro, and also a water-based feeder service for the metro. The first lot of boats are expected to operate in the water corridor by the last quarter of 2018. The project envisages the development of 16 routes, connecting 38 jetties across 10 islands, and spans a total route network of 76 km.
 
#119 ·
Water Metro moves a step closer to reality




The ₹819-crore Water Metro project proposed in the Greater Kochi area has achieved a milestone, with an expert panel of the Ministry of Environment clearing its terms of reference.

“We submitted an application to the Union Ministry a few weeks ago. The clearing of terms of reference means we can expedite the project,” said Elias George, MD, Kochi Metro Rail Limited (KMRL).

A total of 78 modern ferries will link the city with islands in the neighbourhood in the project that will be realised by 2021.

Though specifications have not been finalised, each ferry will most likely have an air-conditioned space (where fare will be higher) and non-AC area. The general consultant appointed by us is in the process of readying specifications and procurement documents for inviting global tenders for the ferries,” he said.

“The first lot of vessels are expected in 17 months from the date of placing orders - i.e., early 2019. We want the best such ferries in the world which are faster, comfortable, and fuel efficient than the existing ones,” Mr. George said.

As per the KMRL estimate, the Water Metro is expected to have a daily ridership of 40,000 by 2019, 54,000 by 2025 and 86,000 by 2035.

Norms for assessment


The project was discussed during the latest meeting of the Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change’s expert appraisal committee (EAC) for infrastructure projects, held in the last week of July.

Terms of references are guidelines for conducting environmental impact assessment (EIA) studies of projects, based on which the Union Environment Ministry grants or rejects clearances for projects.

The EAC further recommended a study on the “impact of dredging and dumping on marine ecology” and a management plan by any institute specialising in marine ecology.

It also sought a study on the impact of dredging on the shore line, how it affects marine life, aquatic birds, details of waste water management, and an environmental monitoring plan.

Reacting to this, Mr. George said that these are standard processes and assured that the KMRL will conduct the study.

“The Centre had insisted that the Water Metro project be part and parcel of the integrated transport system mooted for Greater Kochi area.

Ferries operate on almost all the 16 routes identified by the KMRL,” he said.
 
#120 ·
Kochi Metro Rail Ltd starts survey for Water Metro Project


he Kochi Metro Rail Ltd (KMRL) has started the process of conducting survey as part of implementing the Water Metro Project, envisaged to connect the people residing around the Kochi backwaters to main land. The works started even as the Union Environment Ministry is expected to give clearance to the Rs 747 crore project by next week. “The exercise is being conducted by the Hydrological survey wing functioning under the Fisheries and the Harbour departments,” a KMRL official said.

Earlier, the KMRL has shot off letters to panchayats and the State Water Transport Department (SWTD) seeking the necessary land to be handed over to it for the project implementation. The project envisages the development of 16 identified routes, connecting 38 jetties across 10 islands and spans a total route network of 76 km. The project will be implemented in two phases and would be fully operational in four years.

The services are planned such that the commuters can travel to the jetties such as Ernakulam and take feeder services to catch metro trains. “The boats will operate at an optimal speed of eight knots, with the potential to increase up to 12 knots, once the dedicated water transit corridor is established. The Ernakulam boat jetty will be developed to accommodate feeder bus operation and parking lot,“ the official said.
 
#122 ·
Its what Elias George was saying on other day... Numerous agencies operate multiple services without having a broader picture of transport.

So once UMTA is passed,the authority have commanding power to ask these services must either rerouted to other places that is not connected by Water metro.

Or else cease the service itself. Boats of STWD etc are all primitive in nature. Its high time, they stop operating for broader interests of the city.
 
#123 ·
Water Metro terminals to come up at Vyttila, Fort Kochi
Kochi Water Metro is planning to develop two new ferry terminals at Vyttila and Fort Kochi.

While the ferry terminal at Vyttila will be located inside the mobility hub, the one planned at Fort Kochi will come up near the new RO-RO vessel terminal. These terminals will ensure better connectivity between various modes of public transport in the city.

The Kochi Metro Rail Ltd (KMRL) officials said they have already reached an understanding with Vyttila Mobility Hub Society for developing a jetty. The Metro agency said 'purambokku' land has been identified near the RO-RO terminal for construction of a jetty at Fort Kochi. The agency will associate with revenue department to develop this jetty.

KMRL is also organizing an architectural design competition for the two ferry terminals. The participants could present their designs either individually or as a team with maximum of four members. The competition is also open to architectural firms, architectural students and schools and colleges offering architecture and design studies.

The registration for the competition will commence on August 20 and conclude on September 10. "The designs have to be prepared bearing in mind the environment the terminals would be located in. They also should have the potential to transform the location into an iconic landmark," said KMRL spokesperson.

The results of the competition will be published on October 10. While the runner-ups can bag a prize of Rs 25,000 the winners will get Rs 50,000. In addition, the name of the architect or firm will be displayed on the terminals.

KMRL spokesperson said the construction of terminals is expected to be completed in 2018. "The construction activities will commence once the designs are finalised," she said.

Earlier, the metro agency had signed a memorandum of understanding with the Greater Cochin Development Authority (GCDA) for developing an integrated Water Metro facility at Marine Drive. The marina, when constructed, will have the capacity to accommodate over 150 boats at a time. "The design for the marina will be done by the general consultant appointed for Water Metro project. GCDA and KMRL will jointly prepare the design and execute it," said the spokesperson.

On a question regarding introduction of single ticketing system as part of integrating various modes of public transport system, KMRL said it would take considerable time. "The transport wing of KMRL has conducted several discussions on it. The constitution of unified metropolitan transport authority (UMTA) is required for the smooth transition to a single ticketing system," said KMRL spokesperson.
 
#124 ·


Kochi Metro Rail Limited is organizing an architectural design competition for the upcoming ferry terminals of Kochi Water Metro. In line with Kochi’s objective of adopting more sustainable mass public transport options, Kochi Water Metro is planning to develop two new ferry terminals at Vyttila and Fort Kochi, the construction of which is expected to be completed in 2018.

The participants could present their designs either individually or as a team, not exceeding 4 members. The competition is also open to architectural firms, architectural students and schools & colleges offering architecture/design studies. The registration for the competition would commence on 20th August 2017 and conclude on 10th September 2017. The designs should be prepared to bear in mind the environment the terminals would be located in, and should also have the potential to transform the location into an iconic landmark.

The results of the competition will be published on 10th October 2017. The 1st prize-winner will be offered prize money worth Rs.50000/- whereas the Runner-up will be offered prize money worth Rs.25000/-. In addition, the name of the Architect/Firm will be displayed on the respective ferry terminals.
 
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