RailEnquiry

The School of Management Studies at the CUSAT has submitted to Kochi Metro Rail Limited the interim report on parking lots adjacent to metro-rail stations. The report states that more parking spaces would have to be made in the suburbs than in the city (so that commuters need not enter the city in private vehicles). The final report is expected to be submitted in three to four weeks' time.The study was conducted by a team headed by P.R. Wilson, director of the school, by interviewing potential passengers and by analysing secondary data like reports, documents and policy papers. A questionnaire was shared among 50 people per metro station, thus totalling 1,100 respondents.The report says that parking may not be required in stations like Ambattukavu, Muttam, Pathadippalam, Ernakulam North and Maharajas Junction. The terminal stations at the beginning and end of the metro corridor - Aluva and Petta - will need the biggest parking area. Vyttila hub, Kaloor and the South Railway Station too need large parking areas.“We are happy with the findings of the interim report and are in the process of assessing the recommendations. We will take final call after receiving the final report,” said Tom Jose, the managing director of the KMRL.The report also suggests connectivity services from a few major stations. ‘Metro Connect' - the feeder service, is expected to link the Aluva terminal station with the Aluva KSRTC stand and the Aluva railway station, while the Petta terminal station has to be linked with the Tripunithura bus stand by public transport. Similarly, the CUSAT station has to be linked with the university's campus and the Maharajas station with the KSRTC bus stand in Ernakulam (by buses and other transporting modes).The KMRL had entrusted the school to conduct a study on parking requirements of metro stations and the extent of land required at each station.