Kerala - Kochi   

Kochi can take a cue from Delhi Metro

KOCHI: Despite those opposing the proposed elevated metro-rail system in Kochi listing some demerits of the project, regular commuters of the Delhi metro rail are all praise for the metro-rail network in Delhi.

The Central Road Research Institute (CRRI) had recently released data on how the metro-rail project had a positive influence on the socio-economic fronts in Delhi and the reduction in automobile-induced pollution in the city. At a recent meeting here, detractors of the project said that the metro-coaches would create sound pollution. They also spoke of the high cost of travel, damage to Kochi’s aesthetics (despite the city already being notorious for ill-maintained and dangerous roads, footpaths, medians and drains, apart from encroachments), regular traffic being thrown haywire when the construction of rails is on etc...

Regular commuters of the Delhi metro-rail have drawn comparisons between the system and conventional modes of transport. Gaurav Sharma, a regular commuter on the Delhi metro from Rajouri Garden to the Central Secretariat, spoke of how he reaches office in 30 minutes using the system, as compared to the 90-plus minutes that he used to ‘waste’ on buses, travelling through congested and polluted roads.

“The metro-rail is an all-weather mode of transport. The feeder buses that the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) operates to metro stations have been of tremendous benefit to commuters. Frequent announcements through the public-address system make things easy for commuters who are not well versed with Delhi’s topography. The minimum fare is Rs 6, which is nominal, considering the efficient service, cleanliness and air-conditioned comfort that the system offers,” he said.

Another commuter, Catherine Johans, said that the coaches hardly make any noise, unlike local trains in some cities.

“All one hears is a sound similar to that of a car whizzing past. The stations and coaches are very well maintained and do not have pan stains and other dirt that are seen in railway stations and bus stands. A whole lot of people go around regularly cleaning the stations. The DMRC has also provided jobs to hundreds of youth who man food-kiosks all through the network.”

She spoke of the tremendous benefits that handicapped commuters enjoy. The stations have elevators to carry them to the coaches. Even entering the coaches is easy for them, thanks to their low-lying floors.

The fares are very reasonable and regular commuters get a discount card. Ms. Johans spoke of how people who go shopping have taken to the system in a major way.

“Markets like the one at Chandni Chowk, which people had begun shunning some years ago fearing traffic and parking woes, are now crowded with shoppers after the metro-rail was commissioned.”

The other benefits include accident and tension-free journey, escape from ‘heat stroke’, little risk of pick-pocketing and sexual harassment of women. People who work on night shifts too benefit from the system.

This is apart from the fool-proof security of the network. The DMRC even has a system to return goods that commuters lose while travelling.

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