Kochi, 25 September (H.S.): Metroman E Sreedharan has proposed an urban ropeway linking Fort Kochi and Maharaja’s College through Mattancherry and Willingdon Island, saying it could offer commuters and tourists a way around the city’s congested roads.

In a letter sent to the Kochi Metro Rail Limited (KMRL) managing director on Thursday, the former Delhi Metro chief urged the agency to examine ropeways while planning Kochi’s future public transport network. He said a ropeway could carry 5,000 to 6,000 passengers an hour and cost about one-third as much as a Metro line. It could also serve areas where roads are too narrow to accommodate Metro construction, he argued.

Citing ropeway systems in Bolivia, Mexico and Varanasi, Sreedharan suggested that KMRL send its technical director to study the Varanasi project before deciding on a third Metro line. He also recommended visits to Bolivia and Mexico.

Sreedharan opposed extending the Aluva–Angamaly Metro route through Nedumbassery airport, questioning whether it would attract enough passengers to justify its cost. He pointed to a proposed Southern Railway station at the airport and a high-speed rail link proposed by the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation from Tripunithura and Palarivattom. According to his letter, the proposed rail link would take about 10 minutes and cost around ₹100.

Drawing on his Delhi Metro experience, he said an airport-linked service had failed to make an operating profit despite carrying more than 60,000 passengers. He warned that extending Kochi Metro to the airport could therefore become a substantial financial burden for KMRL.

For Kochi’s third Metro corridor, Sreedharan instead proposed an elevated line from Aroor to Varapuzha via Edappally along the national highway bypass. He also sent a copy of the letter to the transport secretary.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Arun Lakshman