Kochi Metro not to have Korean technology

NEW DELHI: Kochi Metro will not be having the Maglev (magnetic) technology as mooted earlier. Instead standard gauge on the lines of the Delhi Metro will be used.Delhi Metro Rail Corporation chief Mangu Singh informed this on a day when former DMRC chief E Sreedharan reached the Capital. The magnetic levitation technology, as used in Metros in Korea, was first mooted by Sreedharan himself.It is learnt that the ‘Metro Man’ will be meeting senior officials of various ministries with regard to the Kochi Metro project.It was argued that Korean adaptation of Maglev for Kochi Metro would make the project cheaper by about 20 per cent and that the system in Korea needed slimmer pillars than what was now being planned for Kochi Metro.Sreedharan had said that it (Maglev technology) will reduce the construction cost by 20 per cent and the running cost by nearly 25 per cent. But the new DMRC chief has decided to stick to the widely accepted standard gauge system.“Initially, we had thought about having the magnetic technology. But, after assessing both the positives and negatives of both the systems, we decided to favour the latter as it is more reliable,” Mangu said, adding that Sreedharan has agreed to the use of standard gauge for Kochi Metro.The new Delhi Metro Rail Corporation chief expressed satisfaction at the progress of Kochi Metro. “The Kochi Metro is making satisfactory progress and we hope everything will work out fine. The DMRC is giving high priority to Kochi Metro,” Mangu said.The DMRC chief said that the crucial meeting of the Public Investment Board might take place soon and then it will be moved for Cabinet’s approval.The Urban Development Ministry had on Monday moved the Kochi Metro note to the Finance Ministry.