Kochi Water Metro: First phase services set to begin in February

The construction works of the Kochi Water Metro are progressing at a fast pace. It is an integrated Water Transport project proposed by the Kochi Metro Rail Limited (KMRL) and the first phase is all set to begin operations by the end of February 2021.

Kochi: Kochi Water Metro, the first water metro service in India, is all set to begin operations in its first phase by the end of February 2021.

An integrated Water Transport project proposed by the Kochi Metro Rail Limited (KMRL) in Greater Kochi region of Kerala, at the cost of Rs 747 crore, the Water Metro would also act as a feeder service for the Kochi Metro.

The construction works of the Kochi Water Metro project are progressing at a fast pace. The KMRL plans to begin the services in the first phase of the project from Vyttila to Kakkanad from the last week of February.

Using Kochi One card, a centralised travel system, a passenger would be able to travel on Kochi Metro, Water Metro, buses, auto-rickshaws and taxi vehicles. The Water Metro will help the passengers from West Kochi and Vypin islands to travel to the mainland quickly and easily. This would also enable travellers from Kochi city to reach other parts of Kochi without traffic issues and other delays.

Kochi Water Metro is a solution to the traffic woes of Kochi city, said Kochi Mayor M Anilkumar, speaking to ETV Bharat. It would also expand the tourism potential of Kochi. The demands to modernise and revamp the water transport system in Kochi is being realised through the Water Metro under the KMRL. The Water Metro would also be beneficial for the economy of Kochi city, the Mayor said.

The Water Metro is to be operated in 16 routes covering about 76 kilometres in a network manner in Kochi. There would be 41 boat jetties altogether. The Water Metro would connect Vypin, Willington, Idakochi, Kumbalam, Nettoor, Vyttila, Elloor, Kakkanad, Bolgatti and Mulavukadu islands. The works for the Water Metro boats progress at the Cochin Shipyard. As many as 78 air-conditioned ferry boats are being built for the fleet of Water Metro services.

The total estimated cost of the Water Metro is Rs 747 crore. The works of Vyttila and Kakkanad boat jetties of Kochi Water Metro are in the final stage. The construction works of the jetties got delayed owing to the COVID regulations in the State.

KMRL is responsible for the construction works. The terminals, ticketing counters and entrances would all be built on par with the global standards. Special facilities would also be ensured for the convenience and safe travel of the specially-abled persons on the Water Metro.