India - Kochi
The Urban Pathways Implementation Tracker is tracking the Projects Progress
The Urban Pathways Implementation Tracker is tracking the Projects Progress
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Kochi
Urban Pathways has been supporting Kochi since 2017 in the implementation of sustainable mobility projects (mainly electric mobility). To strengthen the city’s capacity, Urban Pathways has invited Kochi to participate in several international fora, training and peer-to-peer learning. Moreover, UP has sought the collaboration with other similar active projects in the city, to find the synergies. For example: Collaboration with GIZ SMART-SUT project on Electric 3-wheelers and TUMI project named reimagining Fort Kochi with WRI India on promoting active mobility. The deployment of e-three wheelers in the city is at the final stage, some foreseen delay due to COVID-19 pandemic. On promoting active mobility, Urban Pathways has collaborated with WRI India to support Tactical Urbanism activity in the city by conducting webinar series in Feb 2020 and provided an air quality monitoring device ‘Smart Citizen Kit’ to measure the impact of such activities and raise awareness. Moreover, Urban Pathways plans to continue supporting Kochi in the development of sustainable mobility projects, awareness raising and cross-sectorial integration related to climate change mitigation. As waste management is also an important sector in Kochi, several discussions and activities related to this sector have been planned on ground. Kochi has also participated in several webinars on waste management - showcased the innovative activities in Kochi and also learnt from other cities. |
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Pilot and Demonstration Action
Electric 3-Wheelers (E-autorickshaw) Urban Pathways project is engaged with Kochi Municipal Corporation (KMC) and Centre for Heritage and Environment Development (C-HED) in introducing 100 electric autorickshaws in the city to enhance last mile connectivity, together with GIZ funded SMART-SUT project. The key agency for the project implementation is Kochi Municipal Corporation (KMC) in close collaboration with Cochin Smart Mission Limited (CSML) and Kochi Metro Rail Limited (KMRL). The project aims to contribute on zero street-level emissions of air pollutants (cleaner air), CO2 emission savings of 30-50% compared to diesel 3-wheelers on a life-cycle basis and also support green economy (generate jobs and augment income to auto-drivers by switching from diesel to e-autorickshaw. |
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The project implementation planning and the selection of appropriate e-rickshaw and parking and charging area have been finalised. The engagement of the relevant stakeholders (public organisations including municipality, local industry, auto society and drivers) supported the development of an appropriate business model. This pilot project has a huge potential to scale up in various locations in the city. The phasewise scale-up plan is also identified in the project and the city is proceeding accordingly.
As e-autorickshaws are quite new in the city, the project focuses on training auto drivers too. Due to the COVID-19 lockdown in the city, there has been a bit delay in bringing e-auto rickshaws on the ground and training activities.
Budget: 80,000 EUR (Urban Pathways contribution 10,000 EUR and remaining from GIZ SMART SUT and city)
Estimated direct GHG emissions reduction: 300 tCO2/year
As e-autorickshaws are quite new in the city, the project focuses on training auto drivers too. Due to the COVID-19 lockdown in the city, there has been a bit delay in bringing e-auto rickshaws on the ground and training activities.
Budget: 80,000 EUR (Urban Pathways contribution 10,000 EUR and remaining from GIZ SMART SUT and city)
Estimated direct GHG emissions reduction: 300 tCO2/year
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Outlook: Planned and/or Possible Future Action
EcoZone at Kadavanthra, Kochi Kadavanthra is one of the fastest growing areas of Kochi. It is a commercial centre and is close to the city’s biggest railway station ‘Ernakulam Junction’. The traffic demand is high in the area and the last mile connectivity is weak. The residential areas show that the waste footprint has been increasing. The municipal waste management and door-to- door waste collection (e.g. CREDAI Clean City movement) have been in place. Very few households have a complete organic waste management system. In cooperation with Kochi Municipal Corporation, Urban Pathways has developed a pilot project concept on EcoZone at Kadavanthra area in Kochi. This includes promoting active mobility (increase bike lanes and prioritise public space for pedestrians). Tactical Urbanism events will be carried out. The pilot will also raise awareness on the zero waste concept. For example: Training programmes for green cadets (selected groups) on supporting the community zero waste. Innovative concepts on waste to wealth, green job creation would also be explored with stakeholders engagement. This will also support green recovery locally after the pandemic. Budget: 10,000 EUR Estimated GHG emissions reduction: 12 tCO2/year |
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Case Studies in Low Carbon Urban Development in INdia
#4 E-Mobility Transition in Para Transit: A Case of E-Auto Rickshaws from Kochi |
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The Promise of Electric Mobility: Green and Clean Mobility for Kochi
Author: Center for Heritage, Environment and Development (c-hed) Embrace electric mobility as a tool to promote shared mobility and clean transportation and ensure environmental sustainability, pollution reduction, energy efficiency and conservation thereby creating an ecosystem for manufacturing EV components in the city of Kochi. |
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Policy Environment Assessment and Advise Paper
With a global share of GHGs emission at 4.1%, India ratified the Paris climate agreement on October 2, 2016. India’s NDCs include a broad scope of putting forward and propagating a healthy and sustainable way of living based on traditions and values of conservation and moderation. Though India’s emission intensity of 0.36 kg CO2/ US$ is 60% less compared to developed countries, India is part of the top 10 global emitters, who contribute over 72% of global GHG emissions. India’s target is to reduce the emissions intensity of its GDP by 33 to 35 % by 2030 compared to 2005 levels. The target will be reached through emphasis on renewable energy, promotion of clean energy, enhancing energy efficiency, climate resilient urban centres, sustainable green transportation networks, and through central and state level schemes like Swachh Bharat Mission, Cleaning of rivers, Zero Defect - Zero Effect and Make in India. |
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Bankable Projects
One of the core objectives is the development and implementation of projects that help decarbonising urban energy, mobility and resource sectors. The projects concepts that are considered to be viable will be later developed into bankable projects for which funding will be sought. The State of Kerala which includes the city of Kochi gave a principle approval for operations of e-rickshaws in 2016. However, except for a few private operators, the e-rickshaws sector in Kochi is still at a nascent stage and yet to reach its potential as mainstream Intermediate Pubic Transport (IPT). Additionally, the sector is presently not organised enough to advocate the policy-related demands of individual operators. This is unlike some larger Indian cities where e-rickshaw fleets have been operating since almost a decade. In 2012, the number of e-rickshaws plying in Delhi alone was over 100,000 (Dhanuraj and Madhu, 2014). Such a gap presents an opportunity for the proposed pilot project to demonstrate e-rickshaws as a viable IPT mode in Kochi which is both financially and environmentally sustainable. The project also aspires to build synergies with upcoming EV-related policies and programmes currently being drafted by State Government authorities. |
