5 things we love about the Kochi Metro
At long last, the Kochi Metro is finally ready to be unveiled. The metro will be inaugurated on Saturday by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who will take an inaugural ride from Palarivattom and to Pathadipalam. Now we know you don’t need any more reasons to love God’s Own Country, but its public transportation system is finally ready for use and has already managed to impress many. Here are five reasons why:
They’re employing 23 transgender employees: Once the group of 23 was selected, they were trained in soft skills and computer operations and are now ready to take on customer-facing jobs. Special bathroom facilities have also been built to protect their identity, officials told cntraveller.in.
It’s eco-friendly: Taking a cue from Kochi airport, the metro too is looking at solar energy for its power requirements. Solar panels have been fitted atop the Muttam Metro yard and 11 stations from Aluva to Palarivattom. According to reports, once the metro project is completed, solar energy could power the line for two months in a year.
They’re encouraging other non-motorised transport solutions: On World Environment Day, KMRL MD Elias George inaugurated the public bike sharing system that will allow commuters to use bicycles free of cost to travel short distance within the city limits and between stations.
It will soon span water as well: By 2019 the railway line will connect to a Water Metro–India’s first–which, with a fleet of 78 speedboats and 16 jetties, will provide the area’s state-run ferry service with much-needed upgrade.
They thanked their workers with a fabulous Kerala Sadhya: To honour the 800 workers who toiled to make the Kochi Metro dream come true, KMRL thanked them in a uniquely Kerala way, a full spread Sadhya!
Source: CNTraveller
