Kochi Metro Plans Light Freight Services To Boost Revenue And Cut Urban Pollution

In a first of its kind initiative, Kochi Metro Rail Ltd (KMRL) is preparing to introduce light freight transport services alongside its regular passenger operations with an aim to enhance revenue and ease urban freight movement.

According to a report by The New Indian Express, KMRL has initiated a comprehensive plan to implement mixed traffic operations, enabling small traders, vendors, and hawkers to use metro facilities for transporting goods across the city.

This shift also aligns with broader efforts to reduce pollution and congestion, as city logistics remain heavily dependent on road-based freight systems.

“The move follows the Union government's recently advocating freight transport using metro facilities. We have decided to foray into the light freight sector. The services will be run only during non-peak hours, especially in the early morning and night hours,” a KMRL official was quoted as saying by TNIE.

Emphasising that passenger experience will not be compromised, KMRL intends to carry out a detailed study to determine freight fares and prepare a legal framework to regulate the service. “We can’t commit to a definite time frame at this stage,” the official added.

The full Aluva-Tripunithura corridor is expected to be used for the freight service. However, platform length and train capacity pose significant challenges.

Each metro train currently comprises three coaches, with a total length of 66.55 metres, accommodating up to 975 passengers, including 136 seats. The existing platform dimensions do not support additional wagons.

As a workaround, the agency is considering marking a small cargo area at the rear of existing trains. “The length of the existing platforms is a problem. It does not support attaching additional coaches,” the official explained.

Further technical analysis will assess factors such as types of permitted freight, dimensions, weight, door system compatibility, train stop accuracy, and acceptable loading times.

Also Read: Sole Bidder In Race For Preparing DPRs Of New Gurugram Metro Corridors; Technical Evaluation Underway: Report