Giving a lease of life to the light tram project, which was mooted last year, KMRL has given its approval to go ahead with preliminary procedures.

A light tram in Brisbane (Representational image)

Kochi might well be the first city in Kerala to have a cost-effective light tram system, connecting areas where conventional metro service is not feasible. The Board of Directors at Kochi Metro Rail Limited (KMRL) has given its go-ahead for preliminary procedures, with the agency now set to approach the Kerala government seeking project nod and fund allocation.

The project was first mooted early last year. Following this, the Swiss-based HESS Green Mobility, which implemented light tram service in Brisbane (Australia) and other parts of the world, submitted a feasibility report on various stretches in Kochi, including the MG Road-Thevara-Marine Drive loop.

According to experts, the project is more suitable for Kerala, which is grappling with financial difficulties. Dr D Dhanuraj, Chairman of Centre for Public Policy Research (CPPR), gave his insights to Krishna Kumar K E of The New Indian Express (TNIE) on the subject.

“We welcome the move as Kochi needs cost effective transport solutions. Light tram can be rail-based and also like vestibule bus system with dedicated road corridor. The Hess Green company, which earlier submitted a project feasibility report to KMRL, has already set up a bus manufacturing unit in Bengaluru. Hence if approved light trams can be locally produced which will further reduce the cost,”

he is quoted as saying.

“The advantage is that other modes of transport like city buses too can ply along the system on the stretch of operation. But this calls for an integrated transport plan which can be used to maximise connectivity in a scientifically planned manner,”

he further added.

Read the TNIE article here.

Read Dr D Dhanuraj’s comments in the article by Native Planet also here.

Views expressed by the author are personal and need not reflect or represent the views of the Centre for Public Policy Research.