Infrastructure
Kochi Water Metro Widens Reach: Four Terminals Launched By Kerala Chief Minister
Kochi Water Metro. (KMRL)
Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan recently inaugurated four terminals of the Kochi Water Metro — India's first 'water metro' service.
The newly launched terminals at South Chittoor, Cheranalloor, Mulavukad, and Eloor mark a significant expansion of the water transport network in the city.
Water Metro will operate on two new routes: High Court-Bolgatty-Mulavukadu North-South Chittoor and South Chittoor-Eloor-Cheranalloor. This expansion will bring the total number of terminals to nine, covering five routes across the city.
During the inauguration, the chief minister highlighted the environmental sustainability aspect of the project. The Kochi Water Metro, designed with sustainability in mind, has attracted global attention for its innovative approach to urban transport.
Currently, 13 boats are in operation on the High Court Junction-Vypeen-Bolgatty and Vyttila-Kakkanad routes. Terminals are being constructed at Paliyamthuruth, Kumbalam, Willingdon Island, Eroor, and Mattancherry. According to report from The New Indian Express, work on the Fort Kochi terminal is nearing completion, with operations between High Court and Fort Kochi set to commence shortly.
Kochi Water Metro
The Kochi Water Metro is an integrated water transport initiative that seeks to enhance connectivity between the mainland and the islands of Kochi.
Once operational, the water metro project will link 38 terminals across 10 islands, deploying 78 electric boats for efficient and sustainable transportation. The boats constructed by Cochin Shipyard Limited (CSL), are hybrid and battery-powered.
The project, valued at Rs 1,136.83 crore, is slated for completion by December 2024. Once Phase-I is fully operational in 2024, it is expected to serve 34,000 passengers a day.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched the Kochi Water Metro in April last year, with an impressive ridership of over 17.5 lakh passengers. The ticket prices for the new routes are expected to range from Rs 20 to Rs 40, making it an affordable and convenient mode of transportation for the residents of Kochi.
The Kochi water metro, when finished, will be the world's largest system of centrally managed urban water transportation.
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