2012

Kozhikode Monorail Project Profile

Kozhikode Monorail Project Profile

As a result, Kerala Road Fund Board has undertaken the major initiative for Planning for a mass transport system which meets the mobility needs of the city and would reduce vehicular traffic on the roads Kozhikode Mono Rail Project A detailed feasibility study for a Mass Rapid Transit System for Kozhikode was done through M/s. Wilbur Smith Associates. The feasibility study considered various feasible transit options based on various field surveys. Out of the 540 Kms of study area, the majority are two lanes or with lower configuration. Four lane divided carriageway is only 10 kms. Many of the major traffic corridors in the city have journey speed lower than 20 KMPH. About 1.6 lakh vehicles of which 85% are passenger vehicles and 14% are commercial vehicles are enter and exit through the major corridors of the city. The daily travel demand is observed as 15.4 lakh trips and the per capita trip rate for all modes together is 1.14. The average trip length is about 7.1 kms out of which public transport trips have a maximum trip length of 10.4 kms.

Introduction Kozhikode the traditional capital of Northern Kerala and the most important city of Malabar region of Kerala is the third biggest Municipal Corporation in Kerala. Kozhikode is fast emerging as a prominent educational, commercial and trade centre having well established national/international trade routes. Kozhikode city alone accounts for 40% of the urban population in the District and is experiencing a rapid growth in urban population. Like any other urban areas, it is also having a steady growth of motor vehicles and travel demand of people has been increasing tremendously. In order to improve the traffic situation, efforts were made to improve the road infrastructure. Unfortunately, such improvements are notable to catch up the increasing demand. Highest priority has been accorded by the Government in reducing the severe traffic congestion experienced in the city.

After considering the above facts about the existing transit network, it has been advised to select an appropriate Mass Transport System. Choice on public transit options are choices about a citys future. Multiple choices exist in the mass transit industry. The type of public transit system will have a big impact on Traffic demand, Road geometrics, Transport affordability, Air and noise pollution, Service availability to all. The Mass Rapid Transit Systems (MRTS) can be broadly grouped into a Rail based system and a Bus based system classification. Within these rail and bus systems, different technologies have different performance characteristics and requirements to be implemented. Based on the survey the maximum PPHPD (people per hour per direction) is predicted on Mavoor Road (from Mofussil bus stand to medical college) and on airport corridor (from mofussil bus stand to airport). The estimated transit load qualifies for Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) and Monorail/ Light Rail Transit (LRT). Based on the survey a Monorail corridor medical college to Ramanattukara (23 Kms) in two phases and a dedicated bus service have been recommended. Corridor from Medical College to Meenchantha (14 Kms) is selected as Phase I for implementation and Phase II would be the extension of the monorail from Meenchantha to Ramanattukara.

Feeder bus services are recommended from Meechantha to Ramanatukara till phase II monorail starts operational. The new transit system will provide direct access to the major hubs like Railway station, Mofussil and KSRTC Bus stands and major commercial centres such as SM street, Palayam, etc. The daily ridership estimated (2015) on this corridor is 1,43,200 which is maximum when compared with other alignments as the corridor passes through the main transportation and commercial centres of the city. There are 14 stations suggested the maximum distance is 2 Km between stations and the average distance is 0.90 Km. The depot is proposed near Medical College at the terminal point of the alignment at the sites proposed for developing bus stand by the Corporation. It is suggested to develop an intermodal station at Meenchantha on bypass road 200m away from NH-17, along with the proposed bus terminal by Kozhikode Corporation. Exclusive airport buses are also proposed to operate from this station. Cost Estimates The cost components of Mono rail are Rolling stock cost and guide ways

1) Rolling Stock: the vehicle/ train is assumed to be with 34 cars, each car is with a capacity of 100 passengers 2) Guide way cost includes: a. Civil structures including stations & depot b. Switching arrangements at both ends 3) Others include: a. Electrical & traction system b. Signalling, telecommunications, testing & commissioning The unit rates of structural items were arrived at by considering tge basic rates, lead distances, moan power, machinery, and materials. The approximate cost of the has been estimated based on the above details and the cost summary is given in the below table. Summary of Cost Civil items Civil and structural works Station building + depot Switching arrangement at both ends Restoration of pavement layers Miscellaneous Total (approximate) Rs. In Crores 362.24 40.50 20.00 54.34 23.85 500.93

Rolling stock requirement Monorail (9 nos) Bus to airport (4 nos) Total Others Electrical, traction, signalling and communication R & R Cost Grand Total Economic Analysis

288.00 2.00 290.00 130.00 47.00 968.00

The economic appraisal for various projects has been carried out within the broad frame work of Social Cost Benefit Analysis Technique. The result of the analysis is presented in the table given below. The project is found to be economically viable with 18.1% EIRR at normal scenario and 14.4% EIRR at worst scenario of sensitivity. EIRR (%) 18.1% 16.4% 16.4% 14.4% ENPV (Rs. In Crores @ 12% discount rate) 465.76 465.76 465.76 185.83

Scenario Normal scenario Sensitivity I: 15% increase in cost Sensitivity II: 15% reduction in benefits Sensitivity III: 15% increase in cost and 15% reduction in benefits

Financial Analysis & Funding Options The project has two components i.e: major one is the development of monorail for 12.60 kms from Medical College to Meenchantha and a component of operating exclusive buses to airport. The analysis focuses on the financial viability of monorail component. Costs considered are the investment cost and O&M cost. The year wise investment requirement is as follows.

1) Special purpose Vehicle (SPV) to implement the project by the Government 2) Public Private Partnership (PPP) mpodel Design Build Finance Operate Transfer (DBFOT) model Other PPP models

and

Conclusion Financial year 2011-12 2012-13 2013-14 Total Approx Estimated Completion cost Construction cost (Excluding R&R (duly escalated) phasing (%) cost) (Rs.in Crore) 275.68 289.464 30 275.68 367.57 918.93 303.937 425.512 1018.913 30 40 100 Monorail like any other forms of transport such as railways, metro, etc. performs a social function of providing affordable transport to the public. All these forms of transport are characterised by heavy capital investments with long gestation periods for earning returns, resulting in low financial rate of return. However, the economic benefits to the society due to these projects are quite significant. The proposed Mono Rail project will yield benefits due to equivalent reduction in road traffic and certain socio economic benefits. Tangible benefits are due to reduction in fuel consumption (Vehicle operating cost VoC) of vehicles and travel time of passengers. Non tangible benefits include reduction in accidents, pollution and maintenance costs due to the monorail project.

Additional requirement of the rolling stock is assumed to be financed with cash flows in the year of incurring expenditure. Considering the heavy capital costs and low returns, usually the construction and operation of such systems are highly subsidised. Government involvement in funding of metro systems is normally expected in such projects. The financing options shall depend upon the project structure decided upon by the Government. The alternatives are:-