Sajan P. John


Kochi is navigating a new wave of sustainable transportation with the Kochi Water Metro. Sajan P. John, Chief Operating Officer of Kochi Water Metro, shares his insights with Nisha Samant of Elets News Network on the vision behind this pioneering initiative, which is addressing urban mobility challenges, its positive environmental impact, and its roadmap for future expansion.

What is the core vision behind the Water Metro, and how does it aim to transform urban mobility in Kochi?


The core vision of the Kochi Water Metro is to champion public transportation as a solution to global warming and climate change. It embodies the Sustainable Development Goals by offering a climate-friendly urban water transport initiative that significantly contributes to a greener future.

Kochi Water Metro is regarded as a one-of-a-kind initiative in terms of urban mobility. What have been the biggest challenges in implementing the Water Metro project, and how have you overcome them?


Kochi’s abundant waterways presented a promising opportunity for water transport. Launching the Water Metro a year ago not only enhanced Kochi’s brand value but also demonstrated our commitment to achieving Sustainable Development Goals.

The challenges were substantial, encompassing both the development of suitable technology and its implementation on a large scale. We were essentially inventing electric water mobility from the ground up, a global first. Innovation played a key role in finding solutions.

Our initial focus was on crafting the perfect specifications, which required extensive research. We then benchmarked passenger amenities against the world’s best systems. The universality of access, safety, efficiency, and environmental responsibility—these four pillars of sustainable goals formed the bedrock of our project, aligning with global transportation objectives. The true technological challenge lies in integrating all these elements seamlessly within a water transport system. As the saying goes, necessity is the mother of invention, and solutions emerge from our unwavering determination to succeed.

The carbon footprint and environmental impact of operations are other concerns. Are there plans to incorporate electric or alternative fuel-based vessels into the Water Metro fleet for further ecological benefits?

Our current fleet consists entirely of battery- powered electric boats. The next frontier is achieving 100% renewable energy to power our operations. Large-scale solar power integration is underway, and we anticipate this shift happening soon.

Hydrogen fuel is considered the future and a promising alternative to fossil fuels. We are actively exploring its possibilities, with cost being the current barrier. However, advancements suggest a significant price reduction in the foreseeable future.

Kochi is a coastal city vulnerable to climate change. How will the Water Metro contribute to sustainable urban mobility and reduced carbon footprint in the city?

Kochi, a coastal city vulnerable to climate change, finds a powerful ally in the Water Metro. Over two million passengers utilized the initial routes last year, translating to nearly 80 lakh passenger kilometres travelled in electric mode. Upon completion of the initial phase, we project annual CO2 emission savings of 22,800 MT. Our calculations, based on current operations covering 20% of the routes, indicate we are well on track proportionally. Last month’s expansion to three new routes, extending our reach to 26 kilometres out of the total 76, represents a significant leap toward achieving our climate- friendly transport goals.

Protecting the Vembanad Lake, a designated critically vulnerable area under CRZ regulations is another crucial aspect we prioritize while implementing the water transport system.

Also Read | Kochi Water Metro An incredible saga of sustainable transportation

Are there plans to expand the Water Metro network to connect new areas or integrate with other water-based transportation systems?

The Water Metro’s success and the widespread national and international recognition it has garnered undeniably pave the way for future development. An integrated transport system encompassing all modes of transport is essential to achieve a modal shift in public travel patterns, steering them toward sustainable solutions. The Water Metro, along with the Kochi Metro and its electric feeder services, is actively transforming the city into a world-class example of sustainable urban mobility. This undoubtedly sets a precedent for other Indian cities to follow suit in their pursuit of a green transition. As pioneers in this field, the Water Metro will naturally lead the country toward achieving its green transition goals and integration objectives.

 

Be a part of Elets Collaborative Initiatives. Join Us for Upcoming Events and explore business opportunities. Like us on Facebook , connect with us on LinkedIn and follow us on Twitter, Instagram.

Related Article


whatsapp--v1 JOIN US
whatsapp--v1