The Kochi Water Metro service, already popular among tourists and city residents, is set to expand its network with the establishment of terminals in 21 additional locations in and around Kochi.
Kochi Water Metro Limited (KWML) has submitted proposals for the construction of the new terminals to the AFD, the French Development Agency, the project’s funding agency, for approval.
Once approved, KWML will issue tenders for the construction of these terminals.
The Water Metro project aims to have a total of 36 water terminals operating services connecting different areas, including islands, across the city.
Currently, KWML operates services connecting 10 terminals using 14 electric-hybrid boats. Construction is underway for five more terminals at Kumbalam, Paliyamthuruth, Willington Island, Kadamakkudy and Mattancherry.
Tenders will soon be issued for the remaining 21 terminals.
Previously, the total number of terminals was 38 but was revised to 36 after Aster Medcity and Amrita Hospital expressed interest in constructing two proposed terminals on their own near their hospitals.
KWML sources anticipate AFD’s approval for the terminal proposals soon.
“If the agency demands corrections, we will do it and revise the proposal. Then we can proceed with the process of issuing tender,” said a KWML source.
The source also informed that the construction of the five terminals has been rapidly progressing, and additional boats from Cochin Shipyard Limited (CSL) are expected to be delivered to KWML next month. Trials for one more boat delivered by CSL last week have already commenced.
The country’s first Water Metro services, launched on April 25, 2023, with nine electric hybrid boats, have brought revolutionary changes to the water transport sector in the state. Over the past year, more than 20 lakh people have utilized the services.
Despite attracting tourists to explore the backwaters, limitations in the number of boats remain a significant challenge. Kochi Metro authorities have issued tenders to purchase 15 more Water Metro boats, supplementing the initial order of 23 boats from CSL, of which 14 have already been delivered to KWML.