Interview with the METRO MAN - Part 1

KOCHI THE 'METRO' CITY

I'm going to be delivering this in parts as the whole interview is huge. So do look forward for the next parts of the series.

"The best way to motivate people is to set an example for them". - E. Sreedharan

THE METRO MAN

The word Metro is synonymous with one name in India, Mr. E. Sreedharan. We can associate his name with almost all successful metro projects around India including Kochi Metro, Lucknow Metro, Delhi Metro, etc., hence the name Metro Man.
He shot to fame, when he took up an almost impossible task, considered it an opportunity to serve his nation, and turned it into a tremendous success, that too in less than the stipulated time.
In 1964, when a cyclone washed away parts of the Pamban bridge, connecting Rameswaran and Tamil Nadu mainland, we had our metro man come to the rescue. Even though he was given six months to repair the bridge, he completed it in 46 days and earned the admiration of his peers. The fairy tale of his magical journey thus began, establishing him as one of the most competent for the job. Up next was the construction of the 736kms (457.329 miles) long railway line overlooking the sea, amidst some of the toughest terrains in the country; The Konkan Railway. He had to construct 150 bridges and 93 tunnels, to finally get this path functional. With his technical knowledge and skills, he is a role model for many people who have worked under him. We had the distinct opportunity to spend some time with him, and get to know his Mantra of success.

HOW IT ALL BEGAN

With a population of over 6 lakhs within the corporation limits
and a population of 21 lakhs within its urban spread, Kochi is the largest city in Kerala. Because of its commercial importance there is also a big floating population putting pressure on its over- loaded transport infrastructures. Except for the National High-way bypass, the city roads are narrow and cannot be widened on account of shops and buildings lined up on both sides. Hence we came to realise the importance of an alternative source of communication within the city. This was how the idea of Kochi Metro came into being.

Kochi Metro is a dream for the citzens of Kochi - a dream to improve mobility within the city and enhance its quality of life. The dream is slowly being translated into reality by the relentless efforts of the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation Ltd. And Kochi Metro Rail Ltd.

Kochi Metro is India's eighth and Kerala's first metro rail network.
The planning for Kochi metro had begun since 1999, but in a country like India with so many policies and politics the construction had started only after 2012. Even though its planning and construction had taken place in a slow pace, this was the fastest Metro trail run in the country.

The idea of Kochi Metro was first introduced in 1999 under the then
Chief Minister E.K.Nayanar, and had decided to conduct a stucy to implement Kochi Metro. In December 2004, the Government of Kerala assigned the Delhi Metro
Rail Corporation (DMRC) the task
of preparing the detailed project report (DPR) for the Kochi Metro rail project. It was expected to start by
2006 and complete by 2010. But the project was delayed as the Central Government expressed serious doubts about the economic viability of the project. Later in 2008, the Kochi Metro rail project was approved in a cabinet meeting held on 2nd January and sent to Central Government for ratification.

On 22nd March 2012, the Public Investment Board (PIB) gave clearance to the Kochi Metro project and the project proposal was forwarded to the Union Cabinet for the final approval. Finally, at a
KMRL board meeting it was decided that DMRC will be the
implementing/executing agent.

The Union Government gave final clearance to the project, and on
13th September, 2012, Dr.Manmohan Singh, the then Prime Minister of India, laid the foundation stone for Kochi Metro Rail Project. The physical work of the project was inaugurated by the Chief Minister of Kerala on 07th June, 2013.

That's how the Kochi Metro Rail came into being. Thank you all for reading through this post. Do wait for the next part - which consists of the actual interaction with the Metro Man himself.

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