Title - SMS submits interim report to Kochi Metro on parking

Kochi : School of Management studies, Cochin University of Science and Technology (CUSAT) has suggested to Kochi Metro Rail ltd (KMRL) that the need of parking facility in Metro stations was more in the suburban areas and it decreases towards the inner parts of the city. An interim report in this regard was submitted to Kochi Metro, a press release said. The final report will be submitted in 3-4 weeks time. A team headed by Dr P R Wilson, Director of School of Management studies, CUSAT conducted the study by doing personal interviews of potential riders, analyzing secondary data like reports, documents and policy papers. A questionaire was prepared and was shared among 50 people per station, totaling 1100 respondents. According to the report, parking may not be required in stations like Ambattukavu, Muttam, Pathadippalam, North and Maharajas Junction. The terminal stations Aluva and Petta will have the biggest parking facilities. Vyttila hub, Kaloor and South Station also need a larger parking area. KMRL Managing Director, Tom Jose said �"We are happy with the output of the interim report and are in the process of assessing the recommendations'. The final call will be taken after the final report is expected. The report also suggests having a connectivity service to be provided in few main stations. �'Metro Connect�'- the feeder service is expected to connect between Aluva terminal station to KSRTC stand and Railway station of Aluva, Petta terminal station to Thrippunithura bus stand, CUSAT station to University campus and Maharajas station to KSRTC stand, Ernakulum. Earlier, KMRL had entrusted SMS to conduct a study on parking requirements of metro station and assess the extend of land required at each station. SMS was also instructed to identify suitable land for parking and prepare a general lay out for the same.