The Kerala state government is considering extending the Kochi Water Metro services to the Infopark area, a significant IT hub in the city. This proposed extension, which aims to link Kakkanad to Infopark, involves the removal of the Kozhichira bund in the Kadambrayar River and the construction of a new bridge at Brahmapuram. The move is expected to ease congestion and improve transportation options for the burgeoning workforce in the region.
The National Transportation Planning and Research Centre (NATPAC) recently conducted a traffic and transportation study, highlighting the necessity for enhanced connectivity to Infopark. The study recommends extending the Water Metro to this key area, underscoring the project’s importance to the city’s economic and infrastructural development.
A high-level meeting chaired by the chief secretary was held to revisit the shelved project, which had been put on hold two years ago due to various challenges. These included concerns over the removal of the Kozhichira bund, public apprehension regarding the potential intrusion of saline water, and protests against the demolition of an existing bridge in Brahmapuram. However, the strong demand from Kochi Metro Rail Limited (KMRL) and Infopark stakeholders has prompted the government to reconsider the project. A stakeholders’ meeting is expected to discuss further steps for the project’s revival.
Currently, the Water Metro operates from Vyttila to Kakkanad, but it has not been able to attract a significant number of commuters from the Infopark area, primarily due to the lack of feeder bus services connecting Kakkanad to Infopark. Kochi Water Metro Limited (KWML) officials have advocated for the extension, arguing that it is essential for making the service profitable and more accessible to the Infopark and Smart City areas.
Official of Infopark, confirmed that the chief secretary’s meeting also discussed other projects aimed at bolstering the infrastructure in the region. Among these are the Water Metro extension and a proposed Mobility Hub project, both of which are expected to enhance the area’s connectivity and support its continued growth as a vital business district. With the potential Water Metro extension, Infopark stands to benefit from improved transportation links, thereby facilitating easier access for thousands of IT professionals and fostering a more robust economic environment.
