About Kochi Water Metro | Ias Banenge

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1. About Water Metro
2. Boats and Features

About Kochi Water Metro

The Water Metro is a modern boat service project being implemented by Kochi Metro Rail Corporation Limited (KMRL) with German funding. The metro is a feeder service of the Kochi metro rail and has been designed to offer modern facilities and enhanced safety measures.

Boats and Features:

• The Koch Water Metro project comprises of 78 boats that are hybrid, battery-powered, air-conditioned and disabled-friendly.
• Each boat costs Rs 7 crore and can carry 100 passengers with a seating capacity of 50.
• These non-polluting, battery-powered boats produce low waves and can go up to a speed of eight nautical miles per hour.
• Boats have been designed as coaches of Kochi Metro with similar facilities such as passenger entry and exit gates, ticket counters, and safety measures.
• Boat terminals have been designed with electronic display boards about boat services, similar to the Kochi Metro.

Routes and Terminals:

• The water metro boat service will connect 10 nearby islands with the mainland of Kochi, covering a distance of 76 km.
• The project comprises of 38 jetties.
• Boat re-charging facilities have been provided in all terminals.
• The boats will operate on the backwaters of Kochi, similar to any other ferry or traditional boat service.

Existing Services:

• The Kerala Water Transport Department operates around 200-odd boat services on different routes that mainly connect Vypin islands to Kochi.
• These services have been criticised for poor passenger safety and being unpunctual.
• Apart from the water transport department, private players also operate stray services.

Project Cost and Stakeholders:

• The  Water Metro project has been conceived as part of the Kochi Metro Rail service.
• The project cost has been revised to Rs 1136 crore.
• The boats have been constructed by Cochin Shipyard Limited.

-Source: Indian Express

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