Kochi: Efforts are underway to enhance the operational frequency of the Kochi Water Metro, despite recent disruptions due to technical snags. On June 27th, a ferry operating on the Vyttila-Kakkanad corridor encountered a technical issue, leading to the cancellation of eight scheduled trips from Vyttila and Kakkanad in the afternoon and evening.
Authorities promptly notified passengers through WhatsApp groups about the cancellations affecting departures from Vyttila at 2:45 p.m., 4:15 p.m., 5:40 p.m., and 6:10 p.m., as well as return trips from Kakkanad at 3:20 p.m. and 4:50 p.m. Fortunately, the remaining ferries continued to operate on schedule while the faulty ferry underwent repairs and was back in service by evening.
Currently, the ferries on the Vyttila-Kakkanad route operate at an average frequency of every 25 minutes in each direction. Plans are in motion to increase this frequency to every 15 minutes with the expected handover of additional ferries from Cochin Shipyard Limited to Kochi Water Metro Limited (KWML). These efforts also include installing more floating pontoons at the terminals, ensuring standby ferries are available to step in whenever necessary.
Cochin Shipyard Limited is on track to deliver the 15th ferry out of the 23 ordered ferries shortly, with expectations to deliver another six by September. Simultaneously, KWML has initiated the tender process to procure an additional 15 electric-hybrid ferries as part of the second phase of the Water Metro project, totaling 30 ferries.
These developments are crucial as they aim not only to mitigate operational disruptions but also to meet the growing demand for efficient water transportation in Kochi. As the city looks towards expanding its water metro network, improving service reliability and frequency remains a top priority for enhancing commuter experience and supporting sustainable urban mobility.
