KMRL signs MoU with Kudumbasree

Kochi: Kudumbashree, one of the largest women-empowering projects in the country, will have a major role in operations of Kerala's ambitious Kochi Metro Rail services.

Kochi Metro Rail Limited today signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Kudumbashree for the management of it's station premises including ticketing, customer relations, house keeping, parking management and running the canteens of KMRL.

The MoU was signed in the presence of Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan and minister for Local Self Government K T Jaleel during the Chief Minister's visit to KMRL office for reviewing the project.

KMRL Director (Systems) Praveen Goyal and Kudumbashree Executive Director Harikishore signed the MoU representing these organisations, a KMRL release said here.

KMRL, DMRC and Revenue officials attended the review held at KMRL office.

The review meeting was followed the meeting with the members of Legislative Assembly and the mayor of Kochi regarding metro and water metro related issues.

The meeting reviewed of the progress and concerns of the first phase of Kochi Metro from Aluva to Petta.

Chief Minister directed KMRL and DMRC to explore the possibilities of opening the first phase of the metro system up till Maharajas, the release said.

KMRL updated CM Regarding the Phase II Extension of Metro from JLN stadium to Kakkanad as the Ministry of Urban Development (MoUD) had issued fresh guidelines and advised to further revise and resubmit the cost along with the revised relevant chapters of the DPR, duly approved by the Kerala government.

Accordingly, the cost has been revised to Rs 2577.25 crore (including taxes and duties), with the relevant changes in the DPR.

An update was given on the integrated Water Transport system for Kochi which was proposed with the vision to connect the mainland with the islands to revive the traditional mode of public transportation.

The project consists of procurement of 78 modern boats and construction of 38 jetties.

The project also consists of construction of 100 km of island roads and connectivity to other modes of transport.

It was appraised that the general consultant will be on board by February and it is expected that actual works on ground will commence by June 2017.