Kochi Water Metro opens a new Mattancherry route ahead of the Onam festivities, transforming city transport and strengthening eco-friendly connectivity across the backwaters. The newly added corridor links the High Court terminal to Willingdon Island and Mattancherry, marking a decisive step in expanding the city’s sustainable transport network while easing congestion on roads and benefitting both daily commuters and tourists.
The timing of the launch is critical. Onam brings one of the busiest travel seasons to Kerala, and officials believe the service will help absorb passenger demand while providing visitors with smoother access to heritage locations. Unlike conventional road transport, the Water Metro offers a quicker and greener alternative across Kochi’s waterways, reducing dependence on fossil fuels and minimising traffic snarls in key business and residential zones. With this addition, Kochi Water Metro now operates seven corridors and 10 terminals, a network steadily shaping itself as a backbone of the city’s urban mobility. The High Court to Fort Kochi stretch has already seen a strong uptake, particularly from tourists, and the Mattancherry link is expected to strengthen this trend.
However, operational challenges remain. The Mattancherry service will not be connected to the Vypeen corridor in order to prevent scheduling disruptions. While this ensures reliability, some commuters argue that full integration could deliver greater efficiency. Equally, citizens have called for longer service hours, pointing out that the current start time of 8 am is too late for students and daily wage workers. Proposals to advance services to 6 am and extend them till 9 pm are being considered, but officials underline that changes will depend on fleet capacity. At present, 19 electric boats form the active fleet, with more under construction at Cochin Shipyard Limited. Deliveries expected next month will increase the frequency of existing services and support the introduction of new corridors. Several terminals, including Mulavukad North, Kumbalam, Kadamakudy, and Paliyamthuruth, are nearing completion, further extending the system’s reach. A new terminal at Ernakulam Boat Jetty is also on the anvil as part of a long-term expansion plan.
Beyond transport convenience, the Water Metro is emerging as a model of sustainable urban planning. Fully electric and designed to integrate with buses and the city’s metro rail, it provides a clean mobility solution that aligns with India’s climate goals. Experts view Kochi’s initiative as a pioneering case in mainstreaming waterways into modern urban transit, balancing ecological responsibility with passenger demand. As the city embraces this expansion, the Water Metro is becoming more than a commuting option — it is a statement of Kochi’s vision for a low-carbon, inclusive, and tourist-friendly future.
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