Kochi: South Asia’s maiden Water Metro Service in Kochi will be launched by Prime Minister in Thiruvananthapuram on April 25
even as Kerala Chief Minister had inaugurated it two years back.
While the Prime Minister was going to dedicate the project to the nation, Pinarayi had opened the Vyttila-Kakkanad route through video conferencing in February 2021 ahead of assembly elections.
Ironically, the service was not conducted till date with Kochi Metro Rail Ltd (KMRL) citing multiple problems like non availability of boats and unfinished work of boat jetties.
The Water Metro project has 26 per cent stake by the State government and remaining by KMRL in which the state and centre have 50 per cent shares each.
Headed by former Kerala DGP Loknath Behra, the KMRL, the implementing agency, is yet to come out with a clarity on the official launch of the commercial operations.
Modi is expected to inaugurate the first route of the Water Metro between High Court Junction and Vypeen. But there is no word from KMRL on the fate of other routes.
There is no clarity on the service between Vytilla and Kakkanad where boat service was operated before the beginning of work on the water metro. The service was stopped causing immense difficulty to the people, mainly those going to the IT centre Infopark. Hibi Eden, MP, of Congress has flayed the launch at the state capital instead of Kochi, media reports said.
KMRL has received nine hybrid boats for the launch of the first phase of the project.
The minimum fare is Rs 20 and the maximum is Rs 40 for a route, the reports said.
The Rs 747-crore Water Metro Project is an ideal project to meet the requirements of the people residing in far off places in the district.
There are 36 terminals and 15 routes connecting 10 islands.
The Water Metro envisages to operate through a fleet of 78 battery-operated electric hybrid boats plying along 38 terminals and 16 routes spanning 76 kilometers.
The project, which is likely to become fully operational by 2035, operate boats through Kaniyampuzha River, Thevara Canal, Cochin Port Waterway, Perandoor Canal and Periyar River.
PM to open Water Metro
