The Hindu : Kerala / Kochi News : Metro rail concept ‘retrograde’

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Sunday, May 04, 2008
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Metro rail concept ‘retrograde’

Staff Reporter

KOCHI: K. Narayanakurup, chairman of the National Wage Board for Journalists and non-Journalists, has termed the Metro Rail concept “retrograde one.”

Speaking at a meet held at MET School of Engineering at Mala recently, Mr. Narayanakurup said the project was not a universal panacea for all problems besetting vehicular and pedestrian traffic.

It has its inherent limitation in its application, especially in a densely populated and overcrowded city like Cochin.

While other cheaper and more viable options such as overbridges, flyovers and elevated roads, suburban trains are available, it defies one’s comprehension, he said in a release.

Mr. Narayakurup said the project may not be a viable proposition considering the heavy financial outlay.

A passenger will have to pay at least Rs. 50 to travel one way from Aluva to Ernakulam.

The release said the whole approach was bereft of commitment towards society and public interest.

“True engineering is social engineering that aims at providing better quality of life to the people and it is not concerned merely with trigonometry and geometry, construction of tunnels, bridges and skyscrapers at exorbitant cost breaking the backbone of the tax paying public.”

Mr. Narayanakurup said engineers with innovative genius should be able to devise other ways and means of tackling traffic congestion while at the same time preserving the heritage of the city.

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