Even before it was inaugurated, Kochi metro was winning hearts with this:
Kochi Metro is being awesome. Not only did it thank migrant workers with dinner, they also had a dance party and message board. pic.twitter.com/HEqdHrQPjy
— Siddharth Singh (@siddharth3) June 14, 2017
And to be honest, now that we know of some of its salient features, we are more than excited. From green initiative to an inclusive workforce, Kochi metro is paving the way, literally.
Kochi Metro’s inauguration is a proud moment for the people of Kerala. Here is my speech at the launch. https://t.co/a4jleEg3J6 pic.twitter.com/aGoLSaphDd
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) June 17, 2017
This environmental friendly metro will be India’s first to extensively use solar panels. On the 25-km full stretch of the rail line, as many as 22 stations on the final will have solar panels. 25 percent of the Kochi Metro’s electricity needs would be met by solar power.
If you think that is pretty impressive, then you’d be sweetly surprised that this metro network will use compost generated from municipal waste to fertilise the vertical garden it plans to maintain on some of its pillars.
The rail network will be the country’s first government agency to hire transgender people; 23 are expected to be on duty for the inaugural run. Apart from being an equal opportunity employer, it is also the first in India to have a workforce that comprises 80% women.
Women will also be seen behind the Metro wheel. Of the 39 loco-pilots employed, 7 are women.
Kochi Metro transforms the lives of women, transgender employees https://t.co/zOgAdd1m0h v @OnmanoramaLive cc: @MetroRailKochi
— UN Women India (@unwomenindia) June 12, 2017
Also, this project will be deploying members of Kudumbashree, a women empowerment-oriented, community-based self-help group.
Each station will showcase a theme, such as maritime history, western ghats as well as the local history of the city, among others.
The Kochi Metro Rail is also the first in the country to use the communication-based train control system (CBTC). The state-of-the-art technology paves the way for driver less trains in the future.
Of course, Twitter is excited.
#KochiMetro:- Shortest time to build.- 1/4th solar powered.- Majority women staff.- Free WiFi.Great prototype for other projects.
— Sorabh Pant (@hankypanty) June 17, 2017
PS: It has been commissioned in a record time of 45 months as compared to other metro services in the country.
This is called moving in the right direction.