FAQ

Metro Rail is a Mass Rapid Transport System (MRTS).
It is a convenient, fast, efficient, reliable, modern, user friendly, comfortable and affordable mode of urban transport.
It is safe and eco-friendly.
It is electric and requires only 1/5^th energy per passenger km compared to road based transport systems.
Brings about a more equitable allocation of road space by encouraging greater use of public transport.
Provides point to point connectivity.

Ministry of Urban Development predicts an average city speed of 6 to 8 kmph by 2030, which is the speed of a morning walker, if urban transport is not properly planned and developed now.
The present transport facilities are inadequate to handle every day demands.
Gridlocks and congestion are routine now; they result in wastage of manpower, fossil fuels, increase pollution and act as dampeners to economic development.
The traffic snarls force people to spend time on the road which they would otherwise spend with their friends and families.
Further road development is very limited owing to geographical and demographical limitations.
Therefore alternate modes of urban mass transport and multi modal integration have to be planned.
The Kochi Metro Rail Project is the first move in such a direction in Kerala.
Accessing jobs, education, livelihoods and other social needs from the outskirts into the business centre of the city would become less time consuming and quality of life will increase for the urban population.
The average citizen would get a reliable, safe, economic, comfortable, user friendly and punctual mode of transport at affordable rates.

Metro rail can be underground, over ground or elevated.
In Kochi the feasible one is elevated metro rail.
The train would run on rails over the roads, supported by pillars that would take up only 2.5m width at the centre of the road.

Every one in Kochi will use it.
It will be accessible to all including physically challenged.
The average citizen, who spends tedious unproductive hours in the crushing rush of buses, cars and other vehicles, would welcome the fast and comfortable metro rail.

The metro train will have three to six cars.
Each car can accommodate around 200 passengers.
It will travel upto a speed of 50 kmph.
Standard gauge rail of 1435 mm width will be used.
From station to station the running time will be approximately two minutes.
The total running time from Aluva to Petta will be approximately 50 minutes. By road Tripunithura to MG Road takes 2 hours during peak hours and Alwaye to MG Road takes more than 2 hours. These distances will be covered in 15 minutes and 30 minutes respectively.

The followings preparatory works have been sanctioned to ease traffic congestion while constructing the metro rail.
Rebuilding of ROB (Rail Over Bridge) near Ernakulam Town Station;
Construction of new ROB near KSRTC Bus stand and widening/improvements to Salim Rajan Road and Mullassery Canal Road;
Widening the station approach road from Jose junction to Ernakulam South Railway Station;
Improvements to MG Road from Madhava Pharmacy to Thevara;
Widening Banarjee road from Ernakulam Town ROB to Madhava Pharmacy.
The works are planned to minimize inconveniences to and disturbances in the daily activities of the local people.
Traffic control, security, barricades etc., would be employed to ensure public safety during construction.

Will trade and business in M.G Road be badly affected during construction and afterwards?

No. The construction is planned to keep inconveniences to a minimum. In fact trade and business would improve due to the enhanced point to point connectivity that metro rail will provide.

Yes.
Land will be acquired in accordance with Fast Track Project guidelines.
People who lose land will be rehabilitated and adequate compensation will be provided.