Kochi Water Metro is a unique project envisaged for the creation of modern water transport infrastructure, connecting islands in the Greater Kochi region. The project is envisaged to connect 38 jetties covering a route length of 76 km with 78Nos of battery-operated boats. It integrates different modes of transport such as water, road, and metro networks. The project is owned by the Government of Kerala. The project is being funded by the German funding agency KfW. This project uses floating pontoons as jetties which will ensure the boat and jetty at the same level, irrespective of the tide or flood. This will ensure the system 100 percent differently-abled friendly functioning.
The Kochi Water Metro project intends to provide Rail Metro-like experience with fixed time interval headway from each terminal, which will bring high reliability to the people residing in the islands.
This green initiative project has many elements supporting the environmental sustainability such as bats with almost zero emission, low noise and create minimum waves which protect the shore and the local fishermen community. The weed management and silt removal will maintain the Vembanad lake and other associated water bodies. When the entire system is in operation and the expected modal shift of transport is achieved, we expect an annual reduction of 116000 tons of Green House Gas and 114 tons of Carbon Monoxide.
A few of the other salient features of the project are:
- It will reduce travel time and increase the reliability
- It will ensure inter-modal connectivity. Passengers can use – Water – Metro – Road – Feeder services to reach their destination.
- Passenger-centric terminals and boats for safe and comfortable travel. Providing information to passengers, where and when they need it. Each service point — from check-in through a security check to boarding
- Terminals conceived as social hot spots to promote public recreation. A place of more than usual interest, activity, or popularity
- Easy access to scenic islands around the mainland will lead to the socio-economic development of islands connected by KWMP
- Enhanced employment opportunities and better livelihood for the islanders
- Decongestion of the vehicular traffic
- Reduced pollution – air, noise, greener technology. First-of-its kind passenger water transport system in Asia with a fleet of 78 Nos of battery-operated boats under one command and control.
- Most modern navigational equipment such as RADAR, thermal camera, VHF, Digital Radio, Echo Sounder etc.
- Intelligent Navigation System and Operation Control Centre to integrate with the city’s intelligent transportation system.
- Totally disabled-friendly access and ensuring safety and security. The Automatic Fare Collection system being implemented by the Kochi Metro is being extended to water transport.
- Developing existing and new access roads providing increased accessibility to the jetties and enhanced mobility within the islands.
- Infrastructure for ensuring safety and security to all its users by way of active and well-lit streets, CCTV cameras, Passenger Control System to prevent overcrowding.
The boats are constructed as catamaran aluminum hull with the latest battery technology of Lithium Titanate oxide (LTO) with fast charging.
Views expressed by: Shaji P.J., CGM (Water Transport), Kochi Metro Rail Ltd.
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