Prime Minister Narendra Modi flagged off Indias first water metro in Kochi, Kerala today. Ten nearby islands will be getting connected via the water metro. As per sources, the first phase of the metro will start between High Court-Vypin Terminal and Vittila- Kakkanad Terminal. The project is expected to boost tourism in the state.The new water metro is expected to make peoples lives comfortable. People will experience the same ease and comfort as they have with the traditional metro system. The project will introduce a modern, energy-efficient, environment friendly system that will increase ridership.The chief minister of Kerala Pinarayi Vijayan had earlier termed the Kochi Water Metro a dream project of the state, which will help in boosting the trade and development of Kochi. The flagship project will cost Rs 1,136.83 crore in the port city.Taking to Twitter on April 22, 2023, the chief minister of Kerala said, “The world-class #KochiWaterMetro is setting sail! It is Keralas dream project connecting 10 islands in and around Kochi. KWM with 78 electric boats & 38 terminals cost 1,136.83 crores, funded by GoK & KfW. Exciting times are ahead for our transport and tourism sectors!”The world-class #KochiWaterMetro is setting sail! It is Keralas dream project connecting 10 islands in and around Kochi. KWM with 78 electric boats & 38 terminals cost 1,136.83 crores, funded by GoK & KfW. Exciting times are ahead for our transport and tourism sectors! pic.twitter.com/IrSD8hqh9l— Pinarayi Vijayan (@pinarayivijayan) April 22, 2023It should be noted that KfW is a German funding agency that has sponsored the entire project along with the government of Kerala. Cochin Shipyard Limited is the manufacturer of the metro project.Cost-effectiveness of Water MetroCM informed that there are exciting times ahead for the southern states transport and tourism sectors. He asserted that people will experience a secured journey in air-conditioned boats and with cost-effectiveness. Also, boarders will be reaching their respective destinations without getting stuck in traffic snarls. The water metro will also be accessible to specially-abled people.How to commute in Water MetroUsing the Kochi 1 card, people will be able to travel both in the Kochi Metro and Kochi Water Metro. They will be able to book the tickets online as well. The service will start with 78 electric hybrid boats and 38 contemporary terminals initially. The water metro will operate on 15 routes covering a distance of 76 kilometres. Each boat will hold a capacity of 50 passengers.Technology used in Water MetroThe boats use Lithium Titanate Oxide (LTO) batteries, which can be charged in around 15 minutes with the help of a specially designed charging system. The worlds longest-lasting commercially available battery, LTO batteries have a lifespan of between 7 and 10 years. They are also considered to be the safest.Also Read: World Malaria Day 2023: Significance, Strategies to Prevent the DiseaseSustainability of Water MetroSources say that in the 20th century, 90 percent of Keralites used tiny boats to get to the mainland, where they could sell their wares. Even after the expansion and the development of Kochi and the state of Kerala as a whole, water transport has been significantly improved. But as new roads and bridges were constructed, people gradually shifted. According to a report, only three percent of locals now commute by inland waterway.Sources claim that the Modi administration has made a deliberate decision to refrain from using a one-size-fits-all strategy when it comes to infrastructure and connectivity. The improvement of metro connections across the nation serves as a shining illustration of this strategy.Price of Tickets in Water MetroFor a journey, the price of the ticket will start at Rs 20 and will be up to Rs 40. The convenience of commuters has been taken into consideration when creating price slots. Regular commuters would be able to purchase travel cards for Rs 180 per week, whereas Rs 600 will be charged for a month. Commuters will have to pay Rs 1500 per quarter, the source added. Tickets may be purchased at the terminals ticket windows or by scanning a smartphone QR code.
