KMRL identifies locations for setting up boat jetties

KOCHI: The Kochi Metro Rail Ltd (KMRL) has identified locations for setting up 19 jetties for the

Water

Metro project. The project envisages setting up 38 jetties

“We have sent location details of these jetties to the state government for the purpose of land acquisition. The survey for the remaining jetties is progressing,” said KMRL spokesperson.

As land acquisition is a tedious process, concurrence and approval of the state government plays a significant role in the project execution.

After launching of the commercial operations of Metro between Aluva and Maharaja’s College, the Metro agency has turned its focus on integration of public transport system in the city, and particularly on the implementation of Water Metro project. The Water Metro is expected to bring in commuters from the islands surrounding Kochi city and feed the Kochi Metro.

“The project has gained momentum. We have floated tenders for geotechnical investigation and environment impact assessment (EIA). The tender for conducting topographical survey will be floated soon,” said KMRL spokesperson.

The geotechnical survey includes information about soil consistency and structure, groundwater level and recommendations for the technical project. EIA study evaluates the impact of the proposed project on environment. It will also look into socio-economic and cultural aspects and also impact on people’s health.

“The

bathymetric

survey, the study of underwater depth of water bodies, is 75% complete,” said the spokesperson.

Bathymetric data includes information about the depths and shapes of underwater terrain. It is pointed out that nautical charts are based on data acquired during bathymetric surveys. Accurate bathymetric survey lays the foundation for much of ocean science and policy. Moreover, it helps to learn effects of climate change on the environment. It can also alert researchers about ongoing and potential beach erosion, sea-level rise and subsidence or land sinking.

Earlier, KMRL had said that they intended to make the first phase of Water Metro project operational by July 2018. The Metro agency has appointed

Aecom Consortium

(a joint venture of Aecom India Pvt Ltd, Urban Mass Transit Company Ltd and

Zebec Marine Consultants Service Pvt Ltd

) as the general consultant for the Water Metro project.

The general consultant is responsible for project management, planning, construction and supervision of routes, boats, jetties, navigation, operational control centre, and utilities such as automatic fare collection.

“They will also have to look into activities like dredging, approach roads, construction of jetties and allied infrastructure as well as its commercial operations,” added the spokesperson.