Title - JICA suggests technology upgrades

---Japanese team submits report to KMRL MD

--More inter-modal connectivity suggested
-An eight-member fact-finding team deputed by the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) prior to granting a loan of Rs.2,174 crore for the Kochi Metro has suggested some technology upgrades to the project.Expressing satisfaction at the metro’s revised detailed project report (DPR) being in sync with the agency’s expectations, team leader Takeshi Fukayama said on Saturday that the innovations suggested included techniques to reduce vibration and noise from the tracks.“We have also suggested upgrading of technology for the metro’s rolling stock to prevent congestion in trains. Such systems are in vogue in Japan,” he told the media.

Procurement packages: Earlier, he submitted a report on the team’s Kochi visit to the managing director of Kochi Metro Rail Limited (KMRL) Elias George.The JICA team also offered technical assistance for the metro’s procurement packages.“We have also suggested more inter-modal connectivity for the metro, wherein it will link with the other modes of transport such as railway, buses (and waterway),” Mr. Fukayama said.Plans were already afoot to integrate the metro with bus, rail and water transport, at Vytilla.

Preparatory works: “The metro’s ongoing preparatory works (widening of roads and bridges) will lessen congestion when the work on the project begins,” he said.

DMRC’s role: To a question on the expected ‘terms of engagement’ by the DMRC in the metro, Mr. George said the agency would play a seminal role in the project. On the scale of involvement of the agency, Mr. George said this would be decided following negotiations (by a committee comprising the Union Urban Development Secretary and the Cabinet Secretaries of Delhi and Kerala).On whether the Japanese had fixed any precondition such as the metro opting for their technology for providing loan (at an interest rate of 1.5 per cent), he said it was yet to be decided whether it would be an untied (unconditional) or a step loan.He said the loan process may take up to one year. “But this will not affect the pace of civil works for the metro (which will be funded by the Centre and State). JICA is expected to fund the rolling stock, traction etc. The visiting team advised us on the best practices in procurement and relevant technological updates.”“They have also told us to do an environmental and social impact assessment of the project and we will invite bids to conduct a world-class study,” he said.