SWI selected as Technological Partner to Kochi Metro Rail Limited
On 20th Dec, SWI will enter into a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Kochi Metro Rail Limited (KMRL) to provide technological support for rain water harvesting at Metro stations, viaducts and depot. The function will be held at KMRL Corporate Office at Kochi. Prof: Pramod Thevannoor and Sri Haneesh Muhammed IAS will sign the MoU on behalf of both parties. Members of the Director Board of KMRL along with senior officials of Central & State water- related government departments will participate.
Kochi metro rail system that serve city of Kochi has been successful in changing the face of urban transport in Kerala. On an average thousands of passengers ply between various metro stations each day. Availability of sufficient water is essential for smooth functioning of metro stations. Measurements show that the quantity of water consumed at 16 metro stations amount to a total of about 30 lakh litres per month. This water is now being supplied by Kerala Water Authority and is diverted from the public water distribution network, thereby reducing the drinking water available to the public. On the other side, DMRC has not installed rainwater harvesting systems at any of the stations or for the viaducts built in phase I. All the stations of Kochi metro rail are above ground and offer huge potential for harvesting rain water. The average rooftop area of a station is approximately 2,000 Sq.M. If rainwater harvesting system is installed properly at these 16 completed metro stations, we can save 10 crore liters of water every year which is only going to increase with additional stations being constructed in Phase I, II and III.
With this background, Kochi Metro Rail Ltd (KMRL) is proposing to implement the rain water harvesting systems at the metro stations as well as viaducts. KMRL has sought the partnership of SWI, to provide technical support for this project. SWI had played a key role previously in devising a water policy for Kochi Municipal Corporation. The water audit done by SWI in Kochi city had estimated the demand for water in Kochi city as 357 MLD whereas supply is only 170 MLD. KMRL could make a huge impact on the society by distributing harvested water that is available in excess, beyond that is needed for its operations, to public.
To start with, SWI will be conducting a feasibility study to identify the best possible and appropriate ways to harvest rain water from each of the metro stations and viaducts considering the technological, financial and location specific feasibility. The M.Tech Environmental Engineering students from SSET will also work with SWI for hands- on training during this study.
Its a privilege for SCMS to be selected as technological partner to KMRL.
