Kochi Metro Rail Ltd (KMRL) will commence feeder bus services, connecting the Cochin International Airport (CIAL) with the metro station at Aluva, from Thursday. The service, Pavan Doot, has been announced in partnership with the KSRTC, and will begin operations from CIAL Terminal 1. A visitor looking to reach the airport can avail the metro to Aluva, and then take the feeder service.
The New Indian Express quoted KMRL MD Alkesh Kumar Sharma, “The feeder service will considerably reduce the travelling cost and time for Kochiites. We hope the passengers will opt for Metro to reach the airport rather than relying on taxis and cars. Metro commuters can carry their baggage and board the Pavan Doot bus to reach the airport on time."
In September, the Kochi Metro had announced that they registered an operating profit. This makes it the second metro after Delhi to register a profit, according to KMRL managing director A.P.M. Mohammed Hanish, who told The Hindu, "the operating profit has been approximately Rs 2 lakh since April on most days. We hope the figure will further increase when the metro touches Pettah in January," he said.
Along with extending the metro project, foundation stones have been laid for the construction of the Pettah-SN Junction Section, along with Kochi Water Metro Project to provide intermodal connectivity between jetties, bus terminals and metro rail.
KMRL is also looking to implement the Rs 819 crore water metro project, after getting the Centre's environmental clearance. As per the proposal, the project will cover 15 identied routes in Kochi connecting 38 terminals across 10 island communities across 78.2 km channel length and two boatyards. KMRL has proposed to take up development of 7 additional terminals (Info Park, Vaduthala, Njarackal, Mulavukad View Point and Embarkation jetty) as a social initiative.