The water metro project is poised to tap and enhance Kerala’s tourism potential by improving connectivity between islands, backwaters, and the mainland.
Kochi Water Metro Ltd (KWML) is working on improving connectivity to remote islands by operating on the Vyttila-Kakkanad and High Court Junction-Vypeen routes.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, on 25 April, inaugurated the first phase of the Kochi Water Metro — India’s first “Water Metro” service.
The Kochi water metro project envisages connecting 38 terminals spread across 10 islands in and around Kochi, with a fleet of 78 fast, electrically-propelled hybrid ferries.
KWML aims to complete the construction of 32 terminals by December 2024.
The demand for the Kochi Water Metro is evident as it has already served over 500,000 passengers on its current two routes.
Loknath Behera, the managing director of KWML and Kochi Metro Rail Ltd (KMRL), stated that if everything goes according to plan, all 32 terminals will be operational by December 2024.
Enhancing connectivity to remote islands will not only benefit the islanders in reaching the mainland but also promote tourism in those areas.
Behera mentioned that they are focused on starting services to remote islands, including Kadamakudy, within a year, depending on the delivery of ferries from Cochin Shipyard Ltd (CSL).
Following the successful launch of the Water Metro, there has been a strong demand to connect Fort Kochi and Mattanchery — popular tourist destinations in the city.
Behera stated that Kochi Water Metro’s Fort Kochi services would be commenced by December of this year, according to The New Indian Express report.
The delay in completing the work at Fort Kochi is primarily due to technical issues in setting up a pontoon near the sea. However, Behera expects the pontoon construction to be completed by November, and services to begin by December.
KWML is expanding its connectivity to the northern parts of the city, including Chittoor, Eloor, and Cheranalloor.
The terminals in these areas are almost complete, and the service will begin once CSL delivers the boats. Currently, nine out of the 23 hybrid vessels have been delivered to Kochi Water Metro.
KWML expects to receive the next set of boats from Cochin Shipyard by the end of July or early August. Once the boats are received, the Chittoor-Cheranalloor route from High Court Junction will be operational.
Cochin Shipyard is working diligently to construct the pontoons. Additionally, Bolgatty will also be covered as the terminals are ready. KWML is also planning to offer wi-fi services onboard the boats.
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.
The project aims to improve the livelihoods and living standards of both islanders and the general public. It is expected to benefit more than one lakh islanders.
Once Phase-I is fully operational in 2024, it is expected to serve 34,000 passengers a day.