Transport in Kochi
Encyclopedia
Kochi
' onMouseout='HidePop("2648")' href="/topics/Malayalam_language">Malayalam
: കൊച്ചി Kocci); formerly known as Cochin) is a city in the India
n state of Kerala
. The city is unofficially known as economic capital of Kerala, hence transport plays a crucial role in the city. The city has fairly better transport infrastructure, though road infrastructures are not well maintained and developed according to the growing needs of transport, making traffic congestion a major problem in the city. A comprehensive transport development plan is made part of Kochi Masterplan as part to ease many of traffic problems. A Metro
service and Sub-Urban Railway system, intended to considerably ease congestion, are planned for the city.
. NH 17, the 7th longest highway in India, connects Kochi
with Mumbai
, via Kozhikode
and Mangalore
on western coast of India. The NH 47
originating from Salem connects Kochi
with cities of Tamil Nadu
like Coimbatore
via Thrissur
and Palakkad
and also connects with state capital Thiruvananthapuram
and terminates at Kanyakumari
. NH 49 is another highway , connecting Kochi
with Dhanushkodi in Tamil Nadu
via Munnar
and Madurai
. Two smaller national highways, NH 47A connecting to Willingdon Island and NH 47C, connecting NH 47
to Vallarpadom from Kalamassery
. NH 47
has a 17 km long byepass road connecting Aroor
to Edappally
junction. The city is also connected with several state highways like SH 15
, SH 16
, SH 41
, SH 63
, SH 66
. The state government has constructed an expressway called Airport-Seaport Road running parallel to NH 47
bypass road at Maradu junction to Kalamasserry junction. Phase II, proposed an alternative road to directly to Airport. A second 2 km long 4 lane road called Infopark Expressway have constructed from Airport-Seaport road to Infopark
, which is planned to develop into a 15 km long east-west corridor in future.
which is also considered as CBD
of the city and the most important commercial high street. The 8.2 km long Chittoor Road
is the oldest arterial road that connects between city to northern suburbs like Chittoor
, Panchalam
, Vaduthala
etc. Another major arterial road is the 1.5 km long Marine Drive Road which extends to south as Park Avenue and Foreshore roads and proposed northern extension reclaimed Marine drive bay road. The youngest arterial road is the 3.2 Km long Kaloor-Kadavanthra Road
, constructed in 2002 as an effort to reduce congestion at MG Road and Chitoor Road and provide an alternative for commuters to reach major southern junction of Kadavanthra
from northern junction of Kaloor
.
The city has only 2 east-west corridors, creating one of the most congested traffic at the stretch. The 4 km long Sahodharan Ayyappan Road
connects MG Road to Kochi Bypass
Road at Vythilla Junction at the southern side and the 5 km long Kaloor Road connects Banerjee Road to NH 47 at Edappally Junction. The 17 km stretch of Edapally - Aroor bypass road has turned out to be the most important arterial road in Kochi. A third east-west corridor is planned connecting MG Road with NH 47 known as Pullepady-Thammanam road, for which first phase has started with construction of Pullepady Rail-Over Bridge.
The main railway line cut Ernakulam city into 2 halves which are interconnected with three rail-over bridges (ROBs), which are one of the major bottlenecks due to being narrow bridges.
Fort Kochi has the maximum number of roads, mostly narrow in nature, due to presence of several heritage properties and thickly populated areas. Indira Gandhi Road is the main arterial road in Willingdon island that runs parallel to western coastal side of the island connecting Ernakulam Wharf with NH 47A.
es and taxis
are available throughout the day. The city has a very fast and efficient bus transport system, mainly dominated by private operators, known as Red-Buses. The red buses offer no-frills travel within the city, forming a major backbone of public transport. However the reckless driving and competitive tendency among red-buses has been heavily criticized by the public. Despite its mounting public criticism on reckless driving, the punctuality and reliability of services often silence the critics to a great extent.
In 2010, the state public transport company, KSRTC started city services due to frequent complaints against red-buses, which has been praised for its efficient and controlled services. KSRTC operates two classes of service: a basic no-frills service known as Thiru-Kochi which has the same fare system as the red-buses. These buses are distinguishable by their blue-white livery and are JNNURM
funded transport services. The JNNURM
transport services operated by KSRTC offer premium air-conditioned low-floor bus services known as Orange Buses and non-air conditioned semi low floor buses known as Yellow Buses. Both the buses connect the central business district areas of Kochi with the nearby suburbs. Currently these premium bus services are available as per the schedule published by Kerala State Road Transport Corporation. The URL is:http://www.keralartc.com/html/JnNURM-KOCHI-TimeTable.doc. At present, 630 intra-buses are authorized to operate inside the city. The city also caters to nearly 2100 long distance private buses which include 466 inter-city state buses.
Most of the buses run primarily on four major routes, known as the Big 4 routes, though there are 160 official authorized routes to operate connecting 60 destinations in the city and nearby suburbs. The most popular route is the Aluva-Fort Kochi Route, which covers almost all the city areas. There is no routing numbering system, rather all buses carry destination boards with important bus stops marked below.
The city has primarily four major bus stations:
To ease congestion within the city limits, a large integrated public transport terminus is planned to be constructed at Vytilla Junction, known as Integrated Mobility Hub, which provides commuters multi-modal transport options. The foundation stone for the project has been laid and work has started for the first phase, which is expected to be completed by 2013. The Mobility Hub plans to provide space for 170 buses, 2000 car bays, 50 inter-state buses parking bays, 5000 two and three wheeler parking bays and a boat jetty with 3 piers for providing water ferry transport. A shopping mall and commercial towers are planned in the second phase to sustain with additional revenues.
On-street Taxi cabs are rare and can be hired from taxi stands located all over the city. Major taxi stands are located outside both the city railway stations, Woodlands Junction, BTH Rounds, Thevara bus station, Kaloor bus station, Thoppumpady and Fort Kochi terminuses. Most of the on-street taxis are HM Ambassadors and Tata Indica and as per law, they have to be in White colour with yellow plates without any taxi sign on top. Call taxis are more popular and can be hired on an hourly basis and on a distance travelled basis, by prior telephonic booking. The most common on-street hire option are auto rickshaws autos, which are economical. Private rent-a-cars, rented bikes companies also operate, for self and chauffeur driven options.
Like many other cities, two wheeler vehicles like motor bikes, scooters, cycles contribute 35% of the vehicle population in the city, which is extremely popularly among the locals. Kochi being a major financial and commercial center, there is a sharp rise in private vehicles plying on the city roads thereby contributing to road congestion.
Kochi has an international airport, known as the Cochin International Airport , which is about 25 km north of the city. Unlike most Indian airports (which are controlled by the Airports Authority of India
), Kochi airport is owned by Cochin International Airport Limited, a public limited company owned by a large number of Non Resident Indians, major Indian corporations, and the government of Kerala (which holds a majority interest). It is thus the first international airport in India built without Central Government funds. Having a 3,400-metre runway, one of the largest in Asia
, the airport is equipped to operate any type of aircraft. It currently is the fourth busiest International airport in India. Currently in expansion mode, the airport has been made ready to accommodate the super jumbo Airbus 380. The Airport is connected with most of the cities in the Middle-East and South East Asia with nearly sixteen international flight carriers operating to the city. Apart from this, the city is well connected to all major metros and cities of India with seven domestic carriers operating nationwide air services.
The city has a second airport operated by the Indian Navy
, whose southern headquarters is located in Kochi. This airport is however not open to the public, and is solely used by the navy and by important government dignitaries visiting the city.
, Kochi ranks among India's major seaports. The port, administered by a statutory autonomous body known as the Cochin Port Trust
, offers facilities like berths
for handling cargo
and passenger ship
s, cargo handling equipment, storage accommodation, dry dock
, bunkering facilities, and a fisheries harbour. Cochin Port regularly handles various international passenger cruisers. Queen Mary 2, was the largest passenger cruiser to call at Kochi. Apart from regular calls, Kochi is also the only home port in India for international cruises operated by Louis Cruises with regular trips to Maldives and Sri Lanka. The service operated between December 2009 to February 2010 and scheduled to resume during tourist season of 2010.
Apart from international cruises, domestic ferry and cruises operate in Kochi. Regular inter-island boat services operated by Kerala Shipping and Inland Navigation Corporation
(KSINC), the state Water Transport Authority, and of private ownership are available from the High Court Jetty and the Ernakulam Central jetty
at Park Avenue to various places. The junkar ferry for the transshipment of vehicles and passengers between the various islands are operated between Ernakulam and Vypin, and between Vypin and Fort Kochi. However, construction of the Goshree bridges
(which links Kochi's various islands) has made ferry transport less important. Backwaters cruises are one of the most important tourist activities in the city. KSINC operates large luxury cruise vessel called Sagar-Rani for high seas cruise parties. Apart from KSINC, numerous of private operators provide private cruise vessels for short leisure trips across the backwaters.
transport system in the city is administered by the Southern Railway Zone
of the Indian Railways
. There are two main railway stations—the Ernakulam Junction
and the Ernakulam Town
(locally known as the 'South' and 'North' railway stations respectively). The South Railway Station
is one of the busiest railway stations in South India, with more than 128 scheduled train services daily. The Junction Railway station currently has six platforms with two terminal gates. The main terminal located on the western side is the older structure, constructed in 1932. A food plaza and reservation counter are located on the west side. The East terminal is a new structure, constructed by GCDA, as a counter-measure to reduce traffic congestion on the South Rail-Over Bridge, by allowing passengers from the eastern side to access the east gate. However the terminal is not fully open to the public.
The North Railway Station
is another station situated in the northern side of the city, mainly catering to long distance services that bypass the Ernakulam Junction
, and also as an additional halt station for many trains. A larger terminal in north has been opened to the public as of 27 November 2010. Cochin Harbour Terminus
located in the Willingdon island is the third railway station in the city, though it has been closed down temporarily. Cochin Harbour Terminus is a heritage structure constructed by the British in 1946. Due to the presence of a few cracks on the Venduruthy Railway bridge connecting the mainland with the Willingdon island, the service to this station was temporarily suspended. Work on a new railway line has commenced and the station will be reopened soon. Edapally Railway Station is a smaller halt station for passenger services and a few express trains. The major stations at Aluva
and Thripunithura and the halting station at Kalamassery, serves the outskirts of the city and the surrounding metropolitan area.
There is a historic station named as Ernakulam Terminus
(station code:ERG) situated behind the High Court. Great personalities like Mahatma Gandhi and The Viceroy have visited Cochin through this old majestic railway station. Ernakulam Terminus was the first station to serve the city but had to be abandoned in the early 60's. Now, Southern Railway plans to convert it into a hub for proposed suburban railway system for the city.
A metro
rapid transit service, intended to considerably ease congestion, is currently awaiting the sanction of the Central Government.
In addition, the Southern Railway is set to start a suburban railway system in Ernakulam, connecting nearby towns and cities by introducing MEMU
services. The first MEMU line is expected to open this year between Ernakulam and Kollam. Other MEMU lines under consideration include Thrissur-Ernakulam and Ernakulam-Kottayam corridors for which work is underway.
Kochi (India)
Kochi , formerly Cochin, is a major port city on the west coast of India by the Arabian Sea. Kochi is part of the district of Ernakulam in the state of Kerala. Kochi is often called by the name Ernakulam, which refers to the western part of the mainland Kochi...
' onMouseout='HidePop("2648")' href="/topics/Malayalam_language">Malayalam
Malayalam language
Malayalam , is one of the four major Dravidian languages of southern India. It is one of the 22 scheduled languages of India with official language status in the state of Kerala and the union territories of Lakshadweep and Pondicherry. It is spoken by 35.9 million people...
: കൊച്ചി Kocci); formerly known as Cochin) is a city in the India
India
India , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world...
n state of Kerala
Kerala
or Keralam is an Indian state located on the Malabar coast of south-west India. It was created on 1 November 1956 by the States Reorganisation Act by combining various Malayalam speaking regions....
. The city is unofficially known as economic capital of Kerala, hence transport plays a crucial role in the city. The city has fairly better transport infrastructure, though road infrastructures are not well maintained and developed according to the growing needs of transport, making traffic congestion a major problem in the city. A comprehensive transport development plan is made part of Kochi Masterplan as part to ease many of traffic problems. A Metro
Rapid transit
A rapid transit, underground, subway, elevated railway, metro or metropolitan railway system is an electric passenger railway in an urban area with a high capacity and frequency, and grade separation from other traffic. Rapid transit systems are typically located either in underground tunnels or on...
service and Sub-Urban Railway system, intended to considerably ease congestion, are planned for the city.
Roads
Kochi has fairly one of the largest network of roads in the state. Much of the roads are under control of Corporation of Cochin, State PWD and National Highway Authority. Most of the roads are in North-South directions with 2 east-west corridors.Highways
Kochi is part of the North-South Corridor of India's National Highway System via the NH 47NH 47
National Highway 47, commonly referred to as NH 47, is a long highway connecting the city of Salem to Kanyakumari town in southern India...
. NH 17, the 7th longest highway in India, connects Kochi
Kochi
-Places:* Kochi, a city in the state of Kerala, India, formerly known as Cochin* Kingdom of Cochin, a former feudal city-state on Malabar Coast, India** Fort Kochi, one of the three main urban components which constitute the present day city of Kochi, Kerala, India...
with Mumbai
Mumbai
Mumbai , formerly known as Bombay in English, is the capital of the Indian state of Maharashtra. It is the most populous city in India, and the fourth most populous city in the world, with a total metropolitan area population of approximately 20.5 million...
, via Kozhikode
Kozhikode
Kozhikode During Classical antiquity and the Middle Ages, Kozhikkode was dubbed the "City of Spices" for its role as the major trading point of eastern spices. Kozhikode was once the capital of an independent kingdom of the same name and later of the erstwhile Malabar District...
and Mangalore
Mangalore
Mangalore is the chief port city of the Indian state of Karnataka. It is located about west of the state capital, Bangalore. Mangalore lies between the Arabian Sea and the Western Ghat mountain ranges, and is the administrative headquarters of the Dakshina Kannada district in south western...
on western coast of India. The NH 47
NH 47
National Highway 47, commonly referred to as NH 47, is a long highway connecting the city of Salem to Kanyakumari town in southern India...
originating from Salem connects Kochi
Kochi
-Places:* Kochi, a city in the state of Kerala, India, formerly known as Cochin* Kingdom of Cochin, a former feudal city-state on Malabar Coast, India** Fort Kochi, one of the three main urban components which constitute the present day city of Kochi, Kerala, India...
with cities of Tamil Nadu
Tamil Nadu
Tamil Nadu is one of the 28 states of India. Its capital and largest city is Chennai. Tamil Nadu lies in the southernmost part of the Indian Peninsula and is bordered by the union territory of Pondicherry, and the states of Kerala, Karnataka, and Andhra Pradesh...
like Coimbatore
Coimbatore
Coimbatore , also known as Kovai , is the second largest city in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu. It is a major commercial centre in Tamil Nadu and is known as the "Manchester of South India"....
via Thrissur
Thrissur
This article is about the city in India. For the district, see Thrissur district. For the urban agglomeration area of Thrissur see Thrissur Metropolitan Area...
and Palakkad
Palakkad
Palakkad , formerly known as Palghat, is a municipality and a town in the state of Kerala in southern India, spread over an area of 26.60 km2.The city is situated about north of state capital Thiruvananthapuram. It is the administrative headquarters of Palakkad District...
and also connects with state capital Thiruvananthapuram
Thiruvananthapuram
Thiruvananthapuram , formerly known as Trivandrum, is the capital of the Indian state of Kerala and the headquarters of the Thiruvananthapuram District. It is located on the west coast of India near the extreme south of the mainland...
and terminates at Kanyakumari
Kanyakumari
Kanyakumari is a town in the state of Tamil Nadu in India. It is also sometimes referred to as Cape Comorin. Located at the southernmost tip of the Indian Peninsula, it is the geographical end of the Indian mainland. The district in Tamil Nadu where the town is located is called Kanyakumari...
. NH 49 is another highway , connecting Kochi
Kochi
-Places:* Kochi, a city in the state of Kerala, India, formerly known as Cochin* Kingdom of Cochin, a former feudal city-state on Malabar Coast, India** Fort Kochi, one of the three main urban components which constitute the present day city of Kochi, Kerala, India...
with Dhanushkodi in Tamil Nadu
Tamil Nadu
Tamil Nadu is one of the 28 states of India. Its capital and largest city is Chennai. Tamil Nadu lies in the southernmost part of the Indian Peninsula and is bordered by the union territory of Pondicherry, and the states of Kerala, Karnataka, and Andhra Pradesh...
via Munnar
Munnar
Munnar is one of the most popular hill station in Kerala and in southern India. Munnar is located on the Western Ghats, situated in the Idukki district....
and Madurai
Madurai
Madurai is the third largest city in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu and one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world. It served as the capital city of the Pandyan Kingdom. It is the administrative headquarters of Madurai District and is famous for its temples built by Pandyan and...
. Two smaller national highways, NH 47A connecting to Willingdon Island and NH 47C, connecting NH 47
NH 47
National Highway 47, commonly referred to as NH 47, is a long highway connecting the city of Salem to Kanyakumari town in southern India...
to Vallarpadom from Kalamassery
Kalamassery
Kalamassery is a suburban region of the city of Kochi and a Municipality in the District of Ernakulam of Kerala state, India. It is a concentrated region of industrialization with several factories manufacturing chemicals and fertilizers, as well as IT companies...
. NH 47
NH 47
National Highway 47, commonly referred to as NH 47, is a long highway connecting the city of Salem to Kanyakumari town in southern India...
has a 17 km long byepass road connecting Aroor
Aroor
Aroor is a census town in Alappuzha district,is a suburb of Kochi in the state of Kerala, India. It is a Sea food related industrial area south of Kochi...
to Edappally
Edappally
Edappally is one of Kochi's well known neighbourhoods. Its name in English literally translates as 'The City with a Church in the Centre' . The famous church in the centre is St. George's Church which is quite old and is a pilgrimage centre. It is said to be one of the fastest growing areas in...
junction. The city is also connected with several state highways like SH 15
State Highway 15 (Kerala)
State Highway 15 is a State Highway in Kerala that starts fromEttumanoor and ends at Pulikkal junction. The highway is 57.3 km long.- The Route Map :...
, SH 16
State Highway 16 (Kerala)
State Highway 16 is a State Highway in Kerala that starts fromAluva and ends at Northern outlet road. The highway is 57.3 km long.-The Route Map:...
, SH 41
State Highway 41 (Kerala)
State Highway 41 is a State Highway in Kerala, India that starts in Palarivattom and ends in Thekkady. The highway is 55.1 km long.- The Route Map :...
, SH 63
State Highway 63 (Kerala)
State Highway 63 is a State Highway in Kerala, India that starts in Vypeen and ends in Munambam. The highway is 25.5 km long....
, SH 66
State Highway 66 (Kerala)
State Highway 66 is a State Highway in Kerala, India that starts in Alappuzha and ends in Thoppumpady. The highway is 44.1 km long....
. The state government has constructed an expressway called Airport-Seaport Road running parallel to NH 47
NH 47
National Highway 47, commonly referred to as NH 47, is a long highway connecting the city of Salem to Kanyakumari town in southern India...
bypass road at Maradu junction to Kalamasserry junction. Phase II, proposed an alternative road to directly to Airport. A second 2 km long 4 lane road called Infopark Expressway have constructed from Airport-Seaport road to Infopark
InfoPark, Kochi
Infopark, Kochi is an information technology park situated in Kakkanad, a suburb of the city of Kochi, India. Established in 2004 by the Government of Kerala, Infopark is spread over a campus with more than of built up area, housing over 75 companies which employ around 15,000 professionals...
, which is planned to develop into a 15 km long east-west corridor in future.
City Roads
The most important arterial road is famed 4 km long Mahatma Gandhi RoadMahatma Gandhi Road, Kochi
Mahatma Gandhi Road , popularly known as M. G. Road, is the main artery as well as the commercial high street of the city of Kochi, in the state of Kerala, India. The road lies north-south with its boundaries at the Venduruthy bridge, Thevara in the south, and the Madhava Pharmacy Junction in the...
which is also considered as CBD
Central business district
A central business district is the commercial and often geographic heart of a city. In North America this part of a city is commonly referred to as "downtown" or "city center"...
of the city and the most important commercial high street. The 8.2 km long Chittoor Road
Chittoor Road
Chittoor Road is one of the major arterial road in the city of Kochi, India. It is the oldest arterial road in the Ernakulam mainland city that connects Ernakulam south with Chittoor island in Ernakulam north. The road runs in North-south direction parallel to coast, covering a distance of...
is the oldest arterial road that connects between city to northern suburbs like Chittoor
Chittoor
Chittoor also known as Chittur, is a City and municipal corporation located in the Chittoor District of Andhra Pradesh, India. It is conveniently located on major highways linking the cities of Bangalore and Chennai....
, Panchalam
Panchalam
Panchalam is a village to the south line of Chennai Suburban Railway...
, Vaduthala
Vaduthala
Vaduthala is a suburb of the city of Kochi, India. Before merger with the corporation of Kochi, Vaduthala was a municipality under the Government of Kerala. A zonal office of the Corporation of Cochin operates here. Several educational institutions like Chinmaya Vidyalaya, Don Bosco School,...
etc. Another major arterial road is the 1.5 km long Marine Drive Road which extends to south as Park Avenue and Foreshore roads and proposed northern extension reclaimed Marine drive bay road. The youngest arterial road is the 3.2 Km long Kaloor-Kadavanthra Road
Kaloor-Kadavanthra Road
Kaloor-Kadavanthara Road also known as KK Road is one of the three north-south arteries in the city of Kochi. Most of the long distance buses that connect the city to the regions to the south and southeast use this road to reach their main terminal at Kaloor. This 3.2 km long, 22 m wide,...
, constructed in 2002 as an effort to reduce congestion at MG Road and Chitoor Road and provide an alternative for commuters to reach major southern junction of Kadavanthra
Kadavanthra
Kadavanthra is a region in the city of Kochi, in the state of Kerala, India. Kadavanthra is also the name of a major intersection in the city of Kochi, intersecting the Sahodaran Ayyappan Road with the Kaloor-Kadavanthra Road and the K.P.Vallon Road .Kadavanthra is especially notable as home for...
from northern junction of Kaloor
Kaloor
Kaloor is a region in the city of Kochi, in the state of Kerala, India. Kaloor is also the name of a major intersection in this region of the city, intersecting the two major arteries of downtown Kochi namely, the Banerji Road and the K. K. Road - Perandoor Road...
.
The city has only 2 east-west corridors, creating one of the most congested traffic at the stretch. The 4 km long Sahodharan Ayyappan Road
S.A Road
Sahodaran Ayyappan Road, popularly known as SA Road is one of the important road of Kochi city that run in east-west direction. The road connects the MG Road in west with Vyttila Junction in east and continues further as Tripunithura Road that connects to Tripunithara. It is a four lane city road...
connects MG Road to Kochi Bypass
Kochi Bypass
The Kochi Bypass is a bypass segment of NH 47 that bypasses the CBD of the city of Kochi in Kerala, India. The highway stretches 17 km from Edapally in the north to Aroor in Alappuzha district in the south. The Government of Kerala began the preliminary works in 1973. After a slow progress, it was...
Road at Vythilla Junction at the southern side and the 5 km long Kaloor Road connects Banerjee Road to NH 47 at Edappally Junction. The 17 km stretch of Edapally - Aroor bypass road has turned out to be the most important arterial road in Kochi. A third east-west corridor is planned connecting MG Road with NH 47 known as Pullepady-Thammanam road, for which first phase has started with construction of Pullepady Rail-Over Bridge.
The main railway line cut Ernakulam city into 2 halves which are interconnected with three rail-over bridges (ROBs), which are one of the major bottlenecks due to being narrow bridges.
Fort Kochi has the maximum number of roads, mostly narrow in nature, due to presence of several heritage properties and thickly populated areas. Indira Gandhi Road is the main arterial road in Willingdon island that runs parallel to western coastal side of the island connecting Ernakulam Wharf with NH 47A.
Public Transport
For transport within the city, busBus
A bus is a road vehicle designed to carry passengers. Buses can have a capacity as high as 300 passengers. The most common type of bus is the single-decker bus, with larger loads carried by double-decker buses and articulated buses, and smaller loads carried by midibuses and minibuses; coaches are...
es and taxis
Taxicab
A taxicab, also taxi or cab, is a type of vehicle for hire with a driver, used by a single passenger or small group of passengers, often for a non-shared ride. A taxicab conveys passengers between locations of their choice...
are available throughout the day. The city has a very fast and efficient bus transport system, mainly dominated by private operators, known as Red-Buses. The red buses offer no-frills travel within the city, forming a major backbone of public transport. However the reckless driving and competitive tendency among red-buses has been heavily criticized by the public. Despite its mounting public criticism on reckless driving, the punctuality and reliability of services often silence the critics to a great extent.
In 2010, the state public transport company, KSRTC started city services due to frequent complaints against red-buses, which has been praised for its efficient and controlled services. KSRTC operates two classes of service: a basic no-frills service known as Thiru-Kochi which has the same fare system as the red-buses. These buses are distinguishable by their blue-white livery and are JNNURM
Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission
Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission is a massive city modernisation scheme launched by the Government of India under Ministry of Urban Development. It envisages a total investment of over...
funded transport services. The JNNURM
Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission
Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission is a massive city modernisation scheme launched by the Government of India under Ministry of Urban Development. It envisages a total investment of over...
transport services operated by KSRTC offer premium air-conditioned low-floor bus services known as Orange Buses and non-air conditioned semi low floor buses known as Yellow Buses. Both the buses connect the central business district areas of Kochi with the nearby suburbs. Currently these premium bus services are available as per the schedule published by Kerala State Road Transport Corporation. The URL is:http://www.keralartc.com/html/JnNURM-KOCHI-TimeTable.doc. At present, 630 intra-buses are authorized to operate inside the city. The city also caters to nearly 2100 long distance private buses which include 466 inter-city state buses.
Most of the buses run primarily on four major routes, known as the Big 4 routes, though there are 160 official authorized routes to operate connecting 60 destinations in the city and nearby suburbs. The most popular route is the Aluva-Fort Kochi Route, which covers almost all the city areas. There is no routing numbering system, rather all buses carry destination boards with important bus stops marked below.
The city has primarily four major bus stations:
- Kaloor Bus station which is a major terminus used by privately operated long distance buses and local red-buses. It is also a major stop for private mofussil services.
- KSRTC Central Bus Station in the south, which is exclusively operated by KSRTC inter-state/inter-city buses. Buses of neighbouring state transport corporations also operates their services from this bus station.
- KSRTC Jetty Station, located near Central Boat Jetty in Park Avenue, is used by KSRTC city and short distance services.
- Fort Kochi Bus Terminus, located near Fort Kochi Beach, is a major bus station for both private and KSRTC City services.
To ease congestion within the city limits, a large integrated public transport terminus is planned to be constructed at Vytilla Junction, known as Integrated Mobility Hub, which provides commuters multi-modal transport options. The foundation stone for the project has been laid and work has started for the first phase, which is expected to be completed by 2013. The Mobility Hub plans to provide space for 170 buses, 2000 car bays, 50 inter-state buses parking bays, 5000 two and three wheeler parking bays and a boat jetty with 3 piers for providing water ferry transport. A shopping mall and commercial towers are planned in the second phase to sustain with additional revenues.
On-street Taxi cabs are rare and can be hired from taxi stands located all over the city. Major taxi stands are located outside both the city railway stations, Woodlands Junction, BTH Rounds, Thevara bus station, Kaloor bus station, Thoppumpady and Fort Kochi terminuses. Most of the on-street taxis are HM Ambassadors and Tata Indica and as per law, they have to be in White colour with yellow plates without any taxi sign on top. Call taxis are more popular and can be hired on an hourly basis and on a distance travelled basis, by prior telephonic booking. The most common on-street hire option are auto rickshaws autos, which are economical. Private rent-a-cars, rented bikes companies also operate, for self and chauffeur driven options.
Like many other cities, two wheeler vehicles like motor bikes, scooters, cycles contribute 35% of the vehicle population in the city, which is extremely popularly among the locals. Kochi being a major financial and commercial center, there is a sharp rise in private vehicles plying on the city roads thereby contributing to road congestion.
Airports
Airports Authority of India
The Airports Authority of India is an organization working under the Ministry of Civil Aviation that manages most of the airports in India. The AAI manages and operates 126 airports including 16 international airports, 89 domestic airports and 26 civil enclaves. The corporate headquarters are at...
), Kochi airport is owned by Cochin International Airport Limited, a public limited company owned by a large number of Non Resident Indians, major Indian corporations, and the government of Kerala (which holds a majority interest). It is thus the first international airport in India built without Central Government funds. Having a 3,400-metre runway, one of the largest in Asia
Asia
Asia is the world's largest and most populous continent, located primarily in the eastern and northern hemispheres. It covers 8.7% of the Earth's total surface area and with approximately 3.879 billion people, it hosts 60% of the world's current human population...
, the airport is equipped to operate any type of aircraft. It currently is the fourth busiest International airport in India. Currently in expansion mode, the airport has been made ready to accommodate the super jumbo Airbus 380. The Airport is connected with most of the cities in the Middle-East and South East Asia with nearly sixteen international flight carriers operating to the city. Apart from this, the city is well connected to all major metros and cities of India with seven domestic carriers operating nationwide air services.
The city has a second airport operated by the Indian Navy
Indian Navy
The Indian Navy is the naval branch of the armed forces of India. The President of India serves as the Commander-in-Chief of the Navy. The Chief of Naval Staff , usually a four-star officer in the rank of Admiral, commands the Navy...
, whose southern headquarters is located in Kochi. This airport is however not open to the public, and is solely used by the navy and by important government dignitaries visiting the city.
Ferry
Being one of the safest harbours in the Arabian SeaArabian Sea
The Arabian Sea is a region of the Indian Ocean bounded on the east by India, on the north by Pakistan and Iran, on the west by the Arabian Peninsula, on the south, approximately, by a line between Cape Guardafui in northeastern Somalia and Kanyakumari in India...
, Kochi ranks among India's major seaports. The port, administered by a statutory autonomous body known as the Cochin Port Trust
Cochin Port Trust
The Port of Kochi is a major port on the Arabian sea - Indian Ocean sea-route and is one of the largest ports in India. The port lies on two islands in the Lake of Kochi namely the Willingdon Island and Vallarpadam, towards the Fort Kochi river-mouth opening onto the Arabian sea...
, offers facilities like berths
Berth (moorings)
A berth is a location in a port or harbour used specifically for mooring vessels while not at sea.-Locations in a port:Berth is the term used in ports and harbors to define a specific location where a vessel may be berthed, usually for the purposes of loading and unloading.Most berths will be...
for handling cargo
Cargo
Cargo is goods or produce transported, generally for commercial gain, by ship, aircraft, train, van or truck. In modern times, containers are used in most intermodal long-haul cargo transport.-Marine:...
and passenger ship
Passenger ship
A passenger ship is a ship whose primary function is to carry passengers. The category does not include cargo vessels which have accommodations for limited numbers of passengers, such as the ubiquitous twelve-passenger freighters once common on the seas in which the transport of passengers is...
s, cargo handling equipment, storage accommodation, dry dock
Dry dock
A drydock is a narrow basin or vessel that can be flooded to allow a load to be floated in, then drained to allow that load to come to rest on a dry platform...
, bunkering facilities, and a fisheries harbour. Cochin Port regularly handles various international passenger cruisers. Queen Mary 2, was the largest passenger cruiser to call at Kochi. Apart from regular calls, Kochi is also the only home port in India for international cruises operated by Louis Cruises with regular trips to Maldives and Sri Lanka. The service operated between December 2009 to February 2010 and scheduled to resume during tourist season of 2010.
Apart from international cruises, domestic ferry and cruises operate in Kochi. Regular inter-island boat services operated by Kerala Shipping and Inland Navigation Corporation
Kerala Shipping and Inland Navigation Corporation
Kerala Shipping and Inland Navigation Corporation is Government of Kerala undertaking, that oversees the shipping and inland navigation matters of the state....
(KSINC), the state Water Transport Authority, and of private ownership are available from the High Court Jetty and the Ernakulam Central jetty
Jetty
A jetty is any of a variety of structures used in river, dock, and maritime works that are generally carried out in pairs from river banks, or in continuation of river channels at their outlets into deep water; or out into docks, and outside their entrances; or for forming basins along the...
at Park Avenue to various places. The junkar ferry for the transshipment of vehicles and passengers between the various islands are operated between Ernakulam and Vypin, and between Vypin and Fort Kochi. However, construction of the Goshree bridges
Goshree bridges
Goshree bridges is a system of bridges that link the mainland side of the city of Kochi to the islands lying to the north of the backwaters. It provides the vital road connectivity to the islands of Bolgatty and Vallarpadam and also links the western island of Vypin to the mainland.The bridges are...
(which links Kochi's various islands) has made ferry transport less important. Backwaters cruises are one of the most important tourist activities in the city. KSINC operates large luxury cruise vessel called Sagar-Rani for high seas cruise parties. Apart from KSINC, numerous of private operators provide private cruise vessels for short leisure trips across the backwaters.
Railways
At present, there is no intra-city rail transport system in Kochi. The inter-city railInter-city rail
Inter-city rail services are express passenger train services that cover longer distances than commuter or regional trains.There is no precise definition of inter-city rail. Its meaning may vary from country to country...
transport system in the city is administered by the Southern Railway Zone
Southern Railway (India)
The Southern Railway is the earliest of the 16 zones of the Indian Railways created in independent India. It was created on April 14, 1951 by merging three state railways namely Madras and Southern Mahratta Railway, the South Indian Railway, and the Mysore State Railway. The South Indian Railway...
of the Indian Railways
Indian Railways
Indian Railways , abbreviated as IR , is a departmental undertaking of Government of India, which owns and operates most of India's rail transport. It is overseen by the Ministry of Railways of the Government of India....
. There are two main railway stations—the Ernakulam Junction
Ernakulam Junction
Ernakulam Junction is the largest railway station in the city of Kochi. The station has six platforms and two terminals...
and the Ernakulam Town
Ernakulam Town
Ernakulam Town is one of the three main railway stations in the city of Kochi, in the state of Kerala, India. The station is operated by the Southern Railway zone of the Indian Railways and comes under the Thiruvananthapuram Railway division...
(locally known as the 'South' and 'North' railway stations respectively). The South Railway Station
Ernakulam Junction
Ernakulam Junction is the largest railway station in the city of Kochi. The station has six platforms and two terminals...
is one of the busiest railway stations in South India, with more than 128 scheduled train services daily. The Junction Railway station currently has six platforms with two terminal gates. The main terminal located on the western side is the older structure, constructed in 1932. A food plaza and reservation counter are located on the west side. The East terminal is a new structure, constructed by GCDA, as a counter-measure to reduce traffic congestion on the South Rail-Over Bridge, by allowing passengers from the eastern side to access the east gate. However the terminal is not fully open to the public.
The North Railway Station
Ernakulam Town
Ernakulam Town is one of the three main railway stations in the city of Kochi, in the state of Kerala, India. The station is operated by the Southern Railway zone of the Indian Railways and comes under the Thiruvananthapuram Railway division...
is another station situated in the northern side of the city, mainly catering to long distance services that bypass the Ernakulam Junction
Ernakulam Junction
Ernakulam Junction is the largest railway station in the city of Kochi. The station has six platforms and two terminals...
, and also as an additional halt station for many trains. A larger terminal in north has been opened to the public as of 27 November 2010. Cochin Harbour Terminus
Cochin Harbour Terminus
Cochin Harbour Terminus is one of the railway stations in the city of Kochi, in the state of Kerala, India. It is located on the Willingdon Island. The Cochin Harbour Terminus is the principal station providing rail connectivity to the southern segment of the Port of Kochi located on the...
located in the Willingdon island is the third railway station in the city, though it has been closed down temporarily. Cochin Harbour Terminus is a heritage structure constructed by the British in 1946. Due to the presence of a few cracks on the Venduruthy Railway bridge connecting the mainland with the Willingdon island, the service to this station was temporarily suspended. Work on a new railway line has commenced and the station will be reopened soon. Edapally Railway Station is a smaller halt station for passenger services and a few express trains. The major stations at Aluva
Aluva Railway Station
Aluva is one of the important railway station in Greater Cochin situated in Ernakulam district and also the second busiest station in the Indian state of Kerala in terms of number of trains after Thrissur Railway Station...
and Thripunithura and the halting station at Kalamassery, serves the outskirts of the city and the surrounding metropolitan area.
There is a historic station named as Ernakulam Terminus
Ernakulam Terminus
Ernakulam Terminus is an abandoned railway station in the Indian city of Kochi. It was the first railway station in Kochi, built by the king. Great personalities like Mahatma Gandhi and The Viceroy have visited Cochin through this old majestic railway station...
(station code:ERG) situated behind the High Court. Great personalities like Mahatma Gandhi and The Viceroy have visited Cochin through this old majestic railway station. Ernakulam Terminus was the first station to serve the city but had to be abandoned in the early 60's. Now, Southern Railway plans to convert it into a hub for proposed suburban railway system for the city.
A metro
Kochi metro
The Kochi Metro is a proposed rapid transit system for the city of Kochi, in India. It was proposed in the year 2005 but was delayed due to the reason that the union government expressing serious doubts about the economic viability of the project. The alignment was created by the DMRC and is...
rapid transit service, intended to considerably ease congestion, is currently awaiting the sanction of the Central Government.
In addition, the Southern Railway is set to start a suburban railway system in Ernakulam, connecting nearby towns and cities by introducing MEMU
MEMU
MEMU is a commuter rail system in India operated by the Indian Railway.The system uses Mainline Electrical Multiple Units operating on Alternating Current drawn from over-head cables through the catenary system....
services. The first MEMU line is expected to open this year between Ernakulam and Kollam. Other MEMU lines under consideration include Thrissur-Ernakulam and Ernakulam-Kottayam corridors for which work is underway.
Distance from Kochi to Major Cities/Towns & Tourist Centres
| City/Town | Distance (km) | City/Town | Distance (km) | City/Town | Distance (km) | City/Town | Distance (km) | City/Town | Distance (km) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ahmedabad | 1881 | Kanyakumari | 307 | Madurai | 270 | Panaji (Goa) | 842 | Tirupati | 730 |
| Alapuzha | 63 | Kannur | 317 | Malampuzha | 153 | Sabarimala | 211 | Tuticorin | 304 |
| Bangalore | 533 | Kodaikanal | 330 | Mangalore | 439 | Salem | 358 | Varanasi | 2312 |
| Chennai | 684 | Kolkata | 2360 | Mumbai | 1384 | Thekkady | 190 | ||
| Coimbatore | 193 | Kollam | 150 | Munnar | 130 | Thiruvananthapuram | 221 | ||
| Delhi | 2594 | Kottayam | 63 | Mysore | 397 | Thrissur | 79 | ||
| Guruvayoor | 100 | Kozhikode | 196 | Ooty | 281 | Trichy | 395 | ||
| Hyderabad | 1095 | Kumarakom | 77 | Palakkad | 163 | Thirunelveli | 256 |