Kochi will soon be the first Indian city to roll out a water Metro, the new innovative transport system combining water-based transport with road and rail. The service, which is expected to start shortly, will utilise Kochi’s intricate network of backwaters to provide a modern and eco-friendly transport system for hassle-free commuting. The first service between High Court-Vypeen routes will start shortly after work on the terminals has been completed.
The Kochi Water Metro project involves developing a network of waterways to offer sustainable public transport over 76 route km connecting 38 terminals in 10 islands around the city.
Expecting a daily ridership of 34,000 passengers in initial phase, the INR 747 crore project, with the financial assistance of € 85 million from German financial agency KfW, will decongest roads and reduce the carbon footprint of the city.
The Cochin Shipyard has been entrusted with the construction of 23 boats, of which seven have been handed over. The battery-powered hybrid electric boats will reduce noise pollution and emissions.
The water Metro will be the first ferry service in the world, with a fleet of advanced electric hybrid boats serving a city and connecting close to one lakh islanders. The waterways have served as a vital part of Kochi’s identity for centuries, and the new Metro system revitalises the age-old tradition in a modern and sustainable way.
