India is set to get its first water metro in Kochi. The Kochi Water Metro will be inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday, April 25, 2023. In a statement, Kerala's Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan said that this water metro will bring a major revolution in the state's water transport sector and boost the state's tourism.
The world-class #KochiWaterMetro is setting sail! It is Kerala's dream project connecting 10 islands in and around Kochi. KWM with 78 electric boats & 38 terminals cost 1,136.83 crores, funded by GoK & KfW. Exciting times are ahead for our transport and tourism sectors! pic.twitter.com/IrSD8hqh9l
April 22, 2023Here is all you need to know about the Kochi Water Metro.
Kochi Water Metro: 10 Things To Know
As per officials, the water metro is a unique urban mass transit system with the experience and ease of travel of a conventional metro system.
The Kochi Water Metro project is funded by the Government of Kerala and the German funding agency KfW.
The overall cost of this water metro project, manufactured by Cochin Shipyard Limited, is ₹1,136.83 crore.
The Kochi Water Metro Project will start with eight electric hybrid boats. The overall project comprises 78 electric boats on 38 terminals.
The Kochi Water Metro boats will operate on Lithium Titanite Spinel batteries and are said to be eco-friendly and electrically propelled.
Once complete, the Kochi Water Metro will connect 10 islands in and around the port city.
In the first phase of the project, water metro services will begin from the High Court-Vypin terminals and Vyttila-Kakkanad terminals.
According to Kerala's Chief Minister, commuters can reach Vypin Terminal from High Court Terminal in less than 20 minutes and can reach Kakkanad within 25 minutes from Vyttila via the Kochi Water Metro.
The minimum ticket fare for a boat journey on the Kochi Water Metro is ₹20. Weekly and monthly passes will also be available for regular passengers. Commuters can use their ‘Kochi1' card to travel on Kochi Metro Rail and Kochi Water Metro. They can also book the tickets digitally through the Kochi 1 App.
Chief Minister Vijayan also stated that the cost-effective and secure journey in Kochi Water Metro's air-conditioned boats would help people reach their respective destinations without being stuck in traffic snarls.
Couple of days before its inauguration, Prime Minister Narendra Modi took to Twitter to appreciate this infrastructural development and also dedicated India's first water metro to the nation
A significant enhancement to Kochi's infrastructure! The Kochi Water Metro would be dedicated to the nation. It will ensure seamless connectivity for Kochi. pic.twitter.com/SAvvEz8SFt
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