The Hindu 19.02.2015
Water transport project: German bank team to visit city tomorrow
A three-member team from the German Development Bank,
KfW, will visit Kochi on February 20 and 21 to assess the possibilities
of developing the inland waterways of Kochi.
An
official statement from the Kochi Metro Rail Limited said the team was
slated to visit the proposed metro routes, other mobility infrastructure
in the city and islands that are proposed to be connected with the
waterways. Further, they will also hold discussions with Elias George,
Managing Director, KMRL, and meet with other stakeholders of the Unified
Metropolitan Transport Authority (UMTA).
The members
of the team are Heiko Warnken, Head of Economic Cooperation and
Development, German Embassy, Felix Klauda, Head of Division, Urban
Development and Mobility -South Asia, and Usha Rao, Senior Sector
Specialist – Energy and Transport, KfW Delhi Office
The
plan mooted by the KMRL for the development of the water transport
network in Kochi include rolling out new advanced hi-tech boats that are
faster and more comfortable than the existing boats. The renovation of
existing boat jetties, which are in a dilapidated condition, and
construction of new boat jetties have also been included in the
proposal. Along with the renovation of the jetties, essential facilities
such as toilets and adequate parking space for the public will also be
set up.
The KMRL is looking at receiving assistance
to the tune of Rs. 624 crore from the German bank for improving water
transport, other feeder services and non-motorised transport facilities
in and around the city.
Earlier, the KMRL had
prepared a preliminary project report, which was submitted to KfW for
availing funds. The agency, however, sought a more comprehensive
Detailed Project Report, which is now being prepared by the Urban Mass
Transit Company (UMTC) under the Union Urban Affairs Ministry.
Exploring
more options on water transport as a feeder system to the metro rail,
the KMRL had held discussions with various stakeholders in the network
on January 13. A joint team of the UMTC and the KMRL had also visited
the probable water routes in the city in December, 2014.
