Latest news with #KochiMetroRailLtd
Time of India
10-07-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Notification for additional land acquisition for Chilavannoor Bund Road Bridge
Kochi: In a move that will speed up reconstruction of Chilavannoor Bund Road Bridge, revenue department issued a notification for additional land for the project in old bridge area. The additional land of 0.1127 hectares in Poonithura village will be acquired for construction of approach road and bridge. Revenue department issued an 11(1) notification, which is a major step to start the acquisition process. The project is being implemented as part of Integrated Urban Regeneration and Water Transport System (IURWTS) project of Kochi Metro Rail Ltd (KMRL), and state govt already accorded sanction for tender worth Rs 38.77 crore for the bridge work. Earlier, KIIFB accorded sanction for reconstruction of the bridge with an estimated cost of Rs 32.58 crore. Following this, KMRL published tender and work was awarded to ULCCS. Although initial construction work, including piling, commenced, the project required additional land, prompting the latest decision to acquire more land. The narrow bridge is one of the major causes of stagnation and flooding in and around city. The new bridge will be an iconic 90m span bridge.
India Today
09-07-2025
- Politics
- India Today
What did David Headley say about Tahawwur Rana? Ex-NIA top officer Loknath Behera reveals
The ongoing interrogation of 26/11 accused Tahawwur Hussain Rana, while in National Investigation Agency (NIA) custody, has been making headlines over his alleged role in the November 2008 Mumbai terror attacks that killed 166 of the senior police officers who had been part of the probe earlier is former Kerala director general of police Loknath Behera, who served as NIA inspector general between 2008 and 2013 and interrogated alleged 26/11 plotter David Coleman Headley in the United States in is now managing director of the Kochi Metro Rail Ltd. In a conversation with INDIA TODAY, he recalled his mission to the US to question Headley and said that the revelations being made by Rana now could throw more light on the 26/11 conspiracy.'Our team had interrogated Headley for almost 10 days and recorded his statement over 36 hours. We cross-checked his statement and found it to be true. Headley spoke about his role in the Mumbai terror attacks and his association with Rana in running a terror module,' said Behera. 'Headley claimed to us that Rana would comply whenever the former sought his help, but that he may have also had a separate handler giving him direct instructions. Now that Rana is in NIA custody, more information regarding the 26/11 conspiracy, the handlers involved, the funding, etc. may be revealed,' Behera told INDIA said questioning Headley was a challenge at times. 'The first hurdle was to make him talk. He had immunity to refuse our questions. So we tried to get him on friendly terms and waited for occasions of voluntary disclosures. It was a successful strategy,' recalled said Headley had described Rana as 'his facilitator in India' and that the ongoing interrogation may also reveal Rana's connections in had apparently visited Kochi 10 days before the 26/11 attacks and stayed at a top hotel with his wife for two days before leaving the city on November 18. During his stay, he made 13 phone calls and liaisoned with job seekers looking to migrate to the US and Canada. He reportedly also visited the Jewish synagogue in said Headley, during his NIA interrogation in the US, spoke a great deal about his life. Headley said that while he couldn't lead a religious life himself, his children were brought up in strict Islamic religious order. Headley also shared his love for Hindi film songs.'We cross-checked the information and alerted agencies across the country to step up vigil against terror suspects. Now, Rana's revelations could further aid India's fight against terrorism,' said to India Today Magazine- EndsMust Watch
New Indian Express
07-07-2025
- Business
- New Indian Express
Skywalk hopes soar as KMRL holds talks with stakeholders
KOCHI: A long-pending demand for skywalks connecting railway stations with nearby Metro stations in Ernakulam South, Ernakulam North, and Tripunithura is gaining fresh momentum. The Kochi Metro Rail Ltd (KMRL) confirmed it is in discussions with various stakeholders to implement the vital pedestrian bridges, which promise seamless movement for thousands of commuters. 'The project is mutually beneficial for both the railways and the Kochi Metro. We are in discussion with various stakeholders on ways to implement the project,' a senior KMRL official stated, marking the agency's first direct comments on the project's execution. Previously, Thiruvananthapuram Divisional Railway Manager Manish Thaplyal had affirmed railways' support, expressing readiness to grant exemptions to KMRL for use of its land. However, the railways put the onus on the latter to source the funds and construct the structures. The project, if realised, will benefit hundreds of commuters to easily access the metro stations at these three stations, especially the elderly and those passengers carrying baggage. 'However, there are certain technical issues. The skywalk has not been included in our scheme of projects being implemented. Another time-taking process is the approval from the Railway Safety Commissioner,' the official pointed out. With the railways not keen to share the project cost, a major hurdle is its funding. The KMRL too is constrained by funds, which has threatened to affect even the Metro Phase II expansion from JLN station to Infopark.
Time of India
24-06-2025
- Time of India
Kochi Metro introduces new student pass with increased rate
1 2 3 4 Kochi: Kochi Metro Rail Ltd (KMRL) has introduced a new student pass system, with higher fares, despite mounting pressure from student organizations and educational institutions, demanding a return to the earlier system. The new system, which will come into effect on July 1, offers a 30-day travel package for Rs 1,100. The pass provides 50 trips between any two stations and a 33% discount on the average/mean trip fare. The cost for a three-month package is Rs 3,000. The earlier Vidya-45 pass allowed 50 trips for Rs 495 with a validity of 45 days. Additionally, there were unlimited travel passes — Vidya-1 priced at Rs 50 for one day and Vidya-30 at Rs 900 for a month. These passes were withdrawn at the beginning of this year, sparking protests. You Can Also Check: Kochi AQI | Weather in Kochi | Bank Holidays in Kochi | Public Holidays in Kochi "With an average/mean trip cost of Rs 33, students would normally spend Rs 1,650 for 50 trips. Our new student pass at Rs 1,100 provides a substantial saving of Rs 550, making Kochi Metro one of the most student-friendly metros in India," said KMRL managing director Loknath Behera. According to KMRL authorities, the new student pass will be available for purchase at all Kochi Metro stations from July 1. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Cuối cùng, chơi miễn phí game chiến thuật hay nhất 2025! Sea of Conquest Phát ngay Undo Valid student identification should be produced during purchase. Students may be required to show ID during travel to deter misuse, they said. The pass is non-transferable and will be available for students up to the age of 30, informed KMRL. Naveen Mathew, a member of the KSU Cochin University unit, said the hike may badly affect the students who avail the offer. "The old pass system was beneficial to many. The increased rate may invite protest," he said. Ebencer Chullikkad of the Kochi Metro Passengers Association also demanded KMRL reinstate the Vidya-45 pass system. "Vidya-45 offered a discount of Rs 10 per trip and it has now increased to Rs 22, which cannot be agreed upon," he said. Kochi Metro authorities said its new pass system offers a higher discount than Nagpur (30%), Pune (30%) and Hyderabad (10%). They said the widespread misuse of student passes, which drastically affected revenue, forced KMRL to increase student pass rates. "Vidya-45 was introduced as a promotional scheme after Covid, to bring back passengers to metro trains. We can't continue such a scheme forever, incurring a huge loss in farebox revenue," said a KMRL official.
Time of India
20-06-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Big water transport infra can be ready in 28 months: Report
Mumbai: The ambitious plan to commission 10 passenger waterways using 75 green boats and 29 passenger jetty terminals in and around Mumbai can be made operational in 28 months once the contract is awarded by securing required permissions, says a report of consultants appointed to do a feasibility study. The network will have a capacity for 1.63 lakh boat trips in a year, to carry nearly 1-1.63 crore passengers by 2031 considering a minimum capacity of 100 per boat. The report suggests that route No.6 i.e Vasai-Marve-Nariman Point (61 km) is potentially the most viable followed by route 9 i.e Belapur-Gateway-Mandwa (38km) connecting Navi Mumbai and the new airport to Mumbai and Alibaug. Vasai-Mira Bhayandar-Gaimukh-Nagale (17 km) and Kalher-Kolshet-Mulund-Airoli-Vashi-Gateway (50km) are seen as the next most viable routes which can ensure an internal rate of return of 20%. Except routes 1, 8 and 10, all are expected to be potentially viable. For route 7, a viability gap fund of 60% has been suggested in the feasibility report by Kochi Metro Rail Ltd (KMLR), a partner in the consortium running the Kochi Water Metro. State ports and waterways minister Nitesh Rane has, however, directed the state maritime authority, the Maharashtra Maritime Board (MMB) to ensure more jetties at Juhu, Bandra, Versova, Mahim, Worli and Kandivli to attract Mumbaikars towards water transport. Based on the study, a final DPR (detailed project report) will be made by MMB before tendering the work to private parties. It will take at least a year to prepare a DPR, secure clearances and award the contract, the report said. The Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR), with a projected population of 26.91 million by 2025, spans 6,328 sq km and has a network of 9 major rivers, creeks and coastlines around it. As part of the study, KMLR and MMB teams spoke to boat operators to understand the impediments they faced. According to them, non-profitability on certain routes, difficulties in operation due to tidal variations, siltation on navigation channels due to poor dredging, lack of infrastructure, seasonal interruptions due to rough weather especially during monsoons, and the presence of fishing nets in the sea were the major impediments in making their operations viable. Former additional transport commissioner Satish Sahasrabudhe said water transport will have to be synchronised with transport modes such as metro, locals, buses and taxis. "Last mile connectivity and 24x7 operations throughout the year without monsoon breaks will decide the success of water transport," he said.
