Kochi Water Metro To Launch High Court–Mattancherry Service Ahead Of Onam

Kochi Water Metro is preparing to launch a new route in the first week of September ahead of Onam, linking the High Court terminal with Willingdon Island and Mattancherry.

Officials from Kochi Water Metro Limited (KWML) confirmed that services will commence once floating pontoons are installed at the Willingdon Island terminal.

The corridor, which has been a long-standing public demand, will provide a direct connection between three busy hubs.

“We are aiming to launch services on the route before Onam,” said KWML’s Chief Operating Officer, Sajan P John. He noted that the new service would boost tourism while easing local travel.

Currently, the State Water Transport Department operates boats between Mattancherry and Ernakulam Jetty, but residents and traders have long sought Water Metro connectivity.

John clarified that the Mattancherry corridor will not be integrated with the Vypeen service. “Running both routes together would affect the schedules. KWML will operate them separately,” he said.

With this expansion, Water Metro operations will increase to seven routes and 10 terminals, including the recently opened High Court–Fort Kochi service, which has quickly become popular among visitors.

However, calls are growing for extended service hours. Antony Kureethara, opposition leader in Kochi Corporation and councillor for Fort Kochi, said, “At present, Water Metro services start at 8 am, which does not benefit daily wage workers and students from Mattancherry. We are demanding operations from at least 6am, with the last trip extended to 9 pm.”

John explained that fleet size remains a limiting factor. “At present, we have 19 boats. We expect Cochin Shipyard Limited (CSL) to deliver more electric boats next month. These will help us operate new routes and increase the frequency of existing services,” he added.

Meanwhile, work on new terminals at Mulavukad North, Kumbalam, Kadamakudy and Paliyamthuruth is nearing completion, with the Kadamakudy Island route set to feature in the next phase.

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