Prime Minister of India inaugurates India’s first Water Metro in Kochi. The ‘made in India’ project aims to promote economic growth by connecting 10 islands through battery operated electric hybrid boats. The project will provide seamless connectivity with the city of Kochi. The project will not only promote economic growth but also boost tourism in the region, Prime Minister said. He added that the project will bring backwater tourism to the state, as well as ease traffic in the city. The Prime Minister also expressed his confidence that the Kerala Water Metro will serve as a model for other states in India.
The Kerala Water Metro project has identified 15 routes along the network of 78 km. The first service will start on Wednesday from High Court towards Vypin terminal, and then on Thursday from Vyttila towards Kakkanad route. Currently, only 4 terminals are ready for operation. The fare of the Kerala Water Metro has been kept reasonable so that it can be affordable for the common man. The minimum fare for the water metro is Rs 20.
Kochi Water Metro is set to provide a modern, energy-efficient, and environmentally-friendly means of transportation to over 1.00 million islanders. This project is expected to improve the commuting experience of the local population by providing modern and affordable means of transportation to those living in the vicinity of the islets of Kolkata. Additionally, the project will facilitate intermodal connections between the Bus Terminus and the Kolkata Metro network, thereby contributing to socio-economic development and job creation for the local population.
