Kochi Metro Rail Limited (KMRL) is poised to finalize an updated comprehensive mobility plan (CMP) within the next three months before presenting it to the state and Union governments for approval. This updated CMP, which aims to address the city?s future development needs and help Kochi become a high-growth potential city, is based on guidelines from the Centre recommending revisions every five years. The CMP, originally prepared in 2017, is being revised by the Urban Mass Transit Company (UMTC). Minister P Rajeeve emphasized the importance of the CMP for Kochi's development over the next 30 years. He highlighted a key short-term goal: extending the metro to the airport and then to GIFT City in Angamaly, as reported by The Hindu.

The CMP aims to integrate road, railway, ferry, and metro rail systems to meet the needs of the expanding Greater Kochi area, which includes Kochi Corporation, nine municipalities, and 19 panchayats, many of which have limited road capacity. KMRL has initiated a feedback collection process for the draft CMP, involving input from political executives, government bodies, city development organizations, the business community, and the public.

KMRL Managing Director Loknath Behera announced that the draft CMP has been uploaded on their website and invited the public and stakeholders to review it and submit feedback via email within the next month. The draft proposes the establishment of multi-modal mobility hubs at various locations, including Aluva, Angamaly, CIAL, High Court, Tripunithura, and Smart City, in addition to the existing Vyttila Mobility Hub.

The draft CMP also highlights the need for city bus route rationalization, revealing that 22 percent of the bus routes have over 60 percent average route overlap with proposed trunk routes or MRTS corridors. It recommends rationalizing 31 routes, including 13 KSRTC and 18 private bus routes.

According to the draft CMP, Mass Rapid Transit Systems (MRTS) designed to move large numbers of people on dedicated guideways will reduce travel time and alleviate congestion. Currently, about 28.12 km of the MRTS network is operational in the city, with an additional 11.3 km of the Phase 2 metro network under construction.

The study suggests that Kochi should focus on decongesting core areas and developing sub-city centers throughout the city. These growth centers should be linked by efficient public transportation systems, with 114.6 km of corridors developed under transit-oriented development principles and 103.5 km of network identified as growth corridors for faster multi-nodal development.