Kochi Water Metro

Kochi Water Metro (KWM) is an integrated ferry transport system serving the Greater Kochi region in Kerala, India. It is the first water metro system in India and the first integrated water transport system of this size in Asia, which connects Kochi’s 10 island communities with the mainland through a fleet of 78 battery-operated electric hybrid boats plying along 38 terminals and 16 routes spanning 76 kilometers.[2] It is integrated with the Kochi Metro and serves as a feeder service to the suburbs along the rivers where transport accessibility is limited.[3]

KWM
Overview
Native nameകൊച്ചി വാട്ടർ മെട്രോ
OwnerGovernment of Kerala (74%)
KMRL (26%)
LocaleKochi, Kerala, India
Transit typeFerry
Number of lines16 (Planned)
2 (Operational)
Line number
Number of stations38 (Total)
2 (Completed)
4 (Operational)
Daily ridership34,000 (After phase 1 completion)
150,000 (When fully operational)
HeadquartersJ. L. N. Stadium metro station 4th Floor, Kaloor, Kochi, Kerala
WebsiteKWM
Operation
Began operation26 April 2023 (2023-04-26)[1]
Operator(s)KMRL
Number of vehicles23
Headway10 - 20 minutes
Technical
System length76 km
Average speed8 knots
Top speed12 knots

The construction work started in 2016 and its first route between Vyttila and InfoPark was inaugurated in February 2021 by Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan.[4] It was officially inaugurated and opened to passengers by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on 25 April 2023.[5] Kochi Water Metro is expected to become fully operational by 2035 with a daily commuter-count of 1.5 lakh passengers.[6] It is also described as possibly the largest electric boat metro transportation infrastructure being implemented in the world.[7]

Overview
Passengers inside the Kochi Water Metro boat

Two variants of modernised air-conditioned and Wi-Fi enabled catamaran passenger boats were proposed for the project. The electric propulsion boats has a passenger capacity of 50 and 100 operate at an optimal speed of about 15 kilometers per hour, with the potential to increase up to 22 kilometers per hour. The boats are equipped with latest safety and communication devices. Small battery operated boats ply on the narrow lanes.[8] The headways vary between 10 minutes to 20 minutes across various routes. The jetties are proposed to have floating pontoons with automatic docking system technology. The floating pontoons is covered with retractable sheds to provide comfort during rainy season.[9]

As part of the infrastructure, Intelligent Navigation System and Operation Control Centre (OCC) are also proposed and will be integrated with the city’s intelligent transportation system. The Automatic Fare Collection system being implemented by the Kochi Metro will be extended to water transport system which facilitates travelling the metro train and the boat using the same ticket.

Apart from ferry service, the project also contemplates development of the new and existing access roads to jetties and islands. Two boatyards are proposed, at Thevara and Pizhala. The project also seeks to improve livelihoods in the areas along the backwaters and the islands in Kochi. Tourism is also proposed to be promoted as part of the project.[10] Cochin Shipyard delivered the first of 23 electric ferries in January 2022.[11]

The phase 1 consists of 3 lines out of which the Vytilla--InfoPark was inaugurated on 15 February 2021.[12] The Vypin--High Court line began service on 26 April 2023 and the Vyttila--Kakkanad line began service on 27 April 2023. Phase 1 is expected to be fully operational in 2024 and on becoming so, it is expected to serve 34,000 passengers a day. The entire water metro system is expected to become fully operational by 2035 with a daily ridership of 1.5 lakh passengers. The annual carbon emissions is also expected to reduce by 44,000 tonnes once the project is fully operational.

Routes and Terminals
Kochi Water Metro Boat at Highcourt Boat Jetty
Route Map of Kochi Water Metro

Kochi is mostly surrounded by backwaters and bordered by the Arabian Sea. It is interconnected by hundreds of waterways, which offers a way to make the public transport system much more accessible and environment friendly. Water Metro is expected to solve the travel issues of the islanders of Willington, Kumbalam Vypeen, Edakochi, Nettoor, Vyttila, Eloor, Kakkanad, and Mulavukad.[13] In the first phase, the water metro started sailing on two routes, High Court to Vypin and Vyttila to Kakkanad with eight electric-hybrid boats.[14]

Funding

The total cost of the Water Metro project is ₹1,137 crore (US$140 million). The KfW Development Bank will be providing EUR 85 million as long term soft loan and the Government of Kerala will be contributing ₹102 crore (US$13 million).[15]

Operations

Fare collection

The minimum ticket price of the metro system is 20 rupees and the maximum ticket charge is 40 rupees. Weekly pass is available at 180 rupees whereas monthly pass cost 600 rupees and quarterly pass cost 1500 rupees. Single journey tickets and various travel passes are available from the ticket counters in the terminals. Water Metro can be accessed using the Kochi Metro One card. It is also possible to travel using the mobile QR code booked through the Kochi One app.[16]

Frequency

In the first phase, the service will be provided from 7 am to 8 pm. The service frequency is 15 minutes during peak hours.[17]

Management

Kochi Water Metro Limited has been formed as a Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) with 74% of the shareholding being owned by the Kerala government and 26% by Kochi Metro Rail Limited (KMRL). It is operated and maintained by the KMRL.[18]

Infrastructure
Views during Kochi Water Metro ride

Kochi Water Metro has two types of boats that can carry 100 passengers and 50 passengers at a time. These boats have won the Gussis Electric Boat Award, an international award for electric boats. The boats and terminals are designed as fully disabled-friendly. Kochi Water Metro has the innovation of a boat that can be operated in battery and hybrid mode.[19] These boats are built in a hybrid system and are completely eco-friendly. Boats can be powered by a diesel generator in case of emergency. Kochi Water Metro is also first of a kind in the world to have such an extensive network of battery-powered boats. The boats uses lithium titanate oxide battery that can be charged very quickly and meets high safety standards. It can be charged in 10–15 minutes and there is a facility to charge the batteries even when the passengers are boarding and disembarking. The speed of the boat is 8 knots in battery mode and 10 knots in hybrid mode.[20]

Interiors of Kochi Water Metro boat

There are arrangements to automatically monitor the movement of the boat from the operating control center at Vyttila hub. A thermal camera is also equipped to assist the boat operator during night travel. The boats are also equipped with radars. The passenger counting system is used to enter Kochi Water Metro boats to prevent the number of passengers from getting increased more than the designated level. Floating pontoons which can stay at the same level with the boats during high tide and low tide are the specialty of Kochi Water Metro. The rescue boats of the metro system are able to start rescue operations within 10 minutes in case of any kind of accident.[21]

Stations
Vyttila water metro station entry

Presently in service during phase 1

International attention

In November 2022, the International Maritime Organisation officials visited Kochi as a part of their Green Voyage 2050 project and praised Kochi Water Metro project for its unique initiatives. "The purpose of our visit is to learn about the impressive achievement of Kerala in terms of the water metro, a pioneering initiative in sustainable urban water transport and show others across the world that it is possible to have commercial viability, environmental sustainability and societal impact through such services. We hope that the water metro service will be extended to other parts of the state as well”; said IMO department of partnership and projects chief Jose Mathieckal.[22]

See also

References
  1. April 25, Amit Chaturvedi (25 April 2023). "India's First Water Metro To Be Inaugurated In Kochi Today: 5 Points". NDTV. Archived from the original on 25 April 2023. Retrieved 25 April 2023.
  2. "Kochi Water Metro is Asia's first integrated water transport system: Chief Minister". www.manoramaonline.com. 25 April 2023. Archived from the original on 25 April 2023. Retrieved 25 April 2023.
  3. "Water metro tops priority list". The Hindu. 22 June 2016. ISSN 0971-751X. Archived from the original on 20 October 2021. Retrieved 25 April 2023.
  4. "Water metro clears last environmental hurdle". The News Minute. 30 October 2019. Archived from the original on 23 December 2019. Retrieved 23 December 2019.
  5. Philip, Shaju (25 April 2023). "PM Modi inaugurates Kochi Water Metro: What is this public boat service?". Indian Express. Retrieved 6 June 2023.
  6. "Kochi Water Metro by July? Hopefully..." The New Indian Express. Archived from the original on 8 April 2022. Retrieved 8 April 2022.
  7. "World's Largest Integrated Water Transport System Under A Single Command". Retrieved 25 April 2023.
  8. "Kochi Water Metro project moves ahead in full steam". Manorama Online. 18 June 2016. Archived from the original on 25 July 2016. Retrieved 22 July 2016.
  9. Staff Reporter (19 December 2022). "KMRL floats tender for Design and construction of Kochi Water Metro Project". Metro Rail News. Archived from the original on 9 January 2023. Retrieved 9 January 2023.
  10. "Kochi to become first Indian city to get 'Water Metro'". The Times of India. 18 June 2016. Archived from the original on 9 July 2016. Retrieved 22 July 2016.
  11. "Cochin Shipyard handovers India's first Water Metro ferry to Kochi Metro". Urban Transport News. Archived from the original on 28 January 2022. Retrieved 28 January 2022.
  12. "Kochi will have to wait longer for Water Metro". The New Indian Express. Archived from the original on 8 April 2022. Retrieved 8 April 2022.
  13. "3 Water Metro Terminals Ready For Functioning | Kochi News - Times of India". The Times of India. TNN. 6 March 2022. Archived from the original on 27 December 2022. Retrieved 27 December 2022.
  14. "PM Modi on 2-day Kerala visit, will launch India's first water metro, meet church leaders". India Today. Archived from the original on 24 April 2023. Retrieved 24 April 2023.
  15. "KMRL, German bank to sign pact for Water Metro". New Indian Express. 22 July 2016. Archived from the original on 23 July 2016. Retrieved 22 July 2016.
  16. "കാത്തിരിപ്പിന് മണിക്കൂറുകൾ മാത്രം ,രാജ്യത്തെ ആദ്യ വാട്ടർമെട്രോ സർവീസ്, മോദി നാളെ ഉദ്ഘാടനം ചെയ്യും". www.asianetnews.com. Archived from the original on 25 April 2023. Retrieved 24 April 2023.
  17. Desk, 24 Web (23 April 2023). "കൊച്ചി വാട്ടർ മെട്രോ: റൂട്ട്, സമയം, നിരക്ക് | അറിയേണ്ടതെല്ലാം". Twentyfournews.com. Archived from the original on 25 April 2023. Retrieved 24 April 2023.
  18. "Kerala govt, KMRL sign pact, Kochi Water Metro to set sail soon". www.onmanorama.com. Retrieved 25 April 2023.
  19. "നീരണിയുമോ വാട്ടർ മെട്രോ? സജ്ജമായി 9 ബോട്ടുകൾ, പ്രധാനമന്ത്രി ഉദ്ഘാടനം ചെയ്യുമെന്ന പ്രതീക്ഷയിൽ കേരളം". Samayam Malayalam (in Malayalam). Archived from the original on 19 April 2023. Retrieved 25 April 2023.
  20. Daily, Keralakaumudi. "കൊച്ചി വാട്ടർ മെട്രോ; കുതിക്കട്ടെ ഗതാഗതവും വിനോദസഞ്ചാരവും". Keralakaumudi Daily. Archived from the original on 25 April 2023. Retrieved 25 April 2023.
  21. "India First Water Metro:തലയുയർത്തി കൊച്ചി; രാജ്യത്തെ ആദ്യ വാട്ടർ മെട്രോ; ഓളപ്പരപ്പിലെ യാത്രയ്ക്ക് ആദ്യം ഒമ്പത് ബോട്ടുകൾ". Samayam Malayalam (in Malayalam). Archived from the original on 25 April 2023. Retrieved 25 April 2023.
  22. Bureau, BL Kochi (15 November 2022). "IMO praises Kochi Water Metro project". www.thehindubusinessline.com. Archived from the original on 27 December 2022. Retrieved 27 December 2022.
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