Kochi Metro all set for integrated transport system with Water Metro
06 Sep 2019
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Kochi Metro Rail Ltd (KMRL) is all set to implement the integrated water transport project at a cost of Rs747 crore with financial assistance from the German Bank, KfW. The Water Metro services will link the city’s various nods of the city with the metro rail system, thereby helping to achieve a more integrated transport system for the city.
It is for the first time in India that such a significant level of investment is being brought in for improving water transport.
The project envisages the development of 16 identified routes, connecting 10 islands along a network of routes that span 76km. The project intends to bring in a fleet of 78 fast, fuel efficient, air-conditioned ferries plying to 38 jetties, 18 of which will be developed as main boat hubs, while the remaining 20 will be minor jetties for transit services. More than 100,000 islanders are expected to benefit from the Water Metro, complete with modern watercrafts.
KMRL has awarded letter of acceptance to Cochin Shipyard for building 23 boats for the Kochi Water Metro Project.
These boats will provide inland transportation using electric/ hybrid technology. KMRL has a requirement of around 78 high-quality boats of international standard.
Of this, 23 boats having capacity of 100 PAX were tendered by KMRL. The contract is yet to be executed and its status will be announced later, the company said.
