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Metro-rail inevitable for Kochi: Deputy Mayor

KOCHI: A metro rail system and suburban rail are inevitable to ensure smooth movement of vehicles in Kochi, Deputy Mayor C. K. Manisankar said here on Saturday.

Apart from political willpower, constant effort and pressure on the implementing agencies concerned are necessary to make these projects fructify, he said. Mr. Manisankar was inaugurating the first part of a series of discussions organised by the Ernakulam Press Club (in connection with its Ruby Jubilee celebrations) on what can be done to improve transportation facilities in Kochi city and its suburbs.

He said the existing roads and allied infrastructure should be optimally utilised, prior to the commissioning of the two mass-rapid transport systems. “For this, buses have to be rerouted, parking restricted and scientific methods adopted to streamline traffic. Commuters will considerably benefit if buses which use congested routes fixed decades ago, are rerouted through new roads and bridges which are at present under-utilised.”

Mr. Manisankar said the GCDA-owned grounds at Marine Drive and Manappattiparambu, the international stadium at Kaloor and the Ambedhkar stadium near the KSRTC bus stand, the eastern side of the Maharaja’s College Ground and vacant plots near arterial roads can be used as pay-and-park facilities. Street vendors must be removed if they disrupt pedestrians and motorists. Footpaths must be made safe and pedestrian-friendly.

Many speakers cited the need to restrict the entry of long-distance buses into the city.

Hind Mazdoor Sabha president Thampan Thomas suggested that mini-buses be issued permits for pick-and-drop services between prominent locations in the city.

The secretary of the Ernakulam District Bus Operators’ Association, M.B. Satyan, said the police must take action against drivers who park buses on the middle of the road at bus stops. The government must pull up contractors and officials if roads get damaged before the guarantee period. Damaged roads slow down traffic and cause accidents, said L.A. Joshy, president of the Ernakulam Merchants’ Union.

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