Former Delhi Metro managing director E Sreedharan has suggested an urban ropeway connecting Fort Kochi with Maharaja’s College, passing through Mattancherry and Willingdon Island. He made the proposal in a letter to the managing director of Kochi Metro Rail Ltd (KMRL), as Kochi looks at options to expand its public transport network.
Ropeway Could Carry Up to 6,000 Passengers an Hour
According to Sreedharan, the proposed ropeway could carry around 5,000 to 6,000 passengers per hour. He said the system could also reduce the need for road widening and large-scale land acquisition required for a conventional Metro corridor.
He estimated that an urban ropeway could cost around one-third of the cost of a Metro system, making it a possible alternative for the proposed route.
Study Ropeway Systems in Other Cities
Sreedharan referred to urban ropeway systems operating in Bolivia and Mexico, as well as the recently completed ropeway system in Varanasi.
He suggested that KMRL’s technical director visit Varanasi to study the system before taking a decision on Kochi’s proposed third Metro line. He also recommended studying ropeway projects in Bolivia and Mexico.
Concerns Over Aluva-Angamaly Metro Extension
The proposal comes amid Sreedharan’s concerns about the proposed Aluva-Angamaly Metro extension through Nedumbassery.
He said the extension could face lower ridership if other planned rail connections to the airport are developed. These include a proposed Southern Railway station at Nedumbassery Airport and a high-speed rail connection proposed by DMRC from Tripunithura and Palarivattom.
The proposed DMRC connection is expected to take around 10 minutes, with a fare of about ₹100.
Alternative Metro Corridor Suggested
Sreedharan also referred to the Delhi Metro airport link, which carries more than 60,000 passengers but has not yet achieved operational profitability.
Instead of extending the Metro to the airport, he suggested an elevated Metro corridor from Aroor to Varapuzha via Edappally along the National Highway bypass.
A copy of his proposal has also been sent to the Transport Department Secretary.
