The Kochi Water Metro was officially opened on Tuesday by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and saw an amazing 6,559 riders the very next day.This is the first time a water-based metro service has been offered in the nation, and on Wednesday, the commercial operations officially began at 7 am and ended at 8 pm. The eight electric hybrid boats, which will travel the routes High Court-Vypin and Vyttila-Kakkanad, were produced by Cochin Shipyard Limited. The High Court-Vypin route has already started offering services, but the Vyttila-Kakkanad line wont begin until Thursday. The projects launch is a crucial turning point for the port city, and its enthusiastic reception is encouraging for the future of the water-based metro service.Water Metro: A Saviour for Kochis busy roadwaysThe recently launched Kochi Water Metro service would give commuters a quick and hassle-free substitute for using the citys congested roadways, said Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan. Particularly, the trip from High Court Terminal to Vypin Terminal is predicted to take less than 20 minutes, saving travellers a lot of time.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, 2023The one-time fee for the High Court-Vypin route is Rs 20, while the Vyttila-Kakkanad route has a Rs 30 one-way fare. The water metro service also provides weekly, monthly, and quarterly passes to accommodate regular commuters. The monthly pass costs Rs 600 and provides up to 50 excursions, whereas the weekly pass enables up to 12 trips for RS 180. The quarterly pass, which costs Rs 1500 and offers up to 150 trips, is the most affordable choice for those who travel frequently.More individuals are anticipated to select the water metro service for their everyday commutes as a result of these reasonable pricing options and flexible passes, which will ultimately relieve traffic problems in the city and reduce congestion on the highways.Passengers in Kochi can now use a single Kochi One Card to access both the Kochi Metro Rail and the Kochi Water Metro services, and tickets for these services can also be purchased digitally via the Kochi One App, making travel easier and more streamlined.A German-Kerala Government initiativeThe Kerala Water Metro project has been funded by the Kerala government as well as the funds from the German state-owned investment and development bank, KfW, with a total cost of ₹1,136.83 crore. When fully operational, the project will link ten islands in the vicinity of Kochis port with 78 electric boats and 38 ports. The water metro service is expected to carry roughly 34,000 passengers each day, providing a quick and effective form of transportation.Eco-friendly futuristic designThe Kochi Water Metro has gained international acclaim for its revolutionary design and technology, having previously been awarded the prestigious Gussies Award (France) for the worlds best commercial passenger electric boat. These electric boats can transport up to 100 passengers on the projected 76-kilometre route while emitting almost no noise or vibration, making them an eco-friendly and comfortable method of transportation for passengers.Kerala govts dream project Kochi Water Metro, Indias first water metro, was dedicated to the nation today. First phase of the project was inaugurated by @PMOIndia, making history in Keralas transport & tourism with state-of-the-art features to revolutionize the way we commute. pic.twitter.com/3pPwjAUX08— P Rajeev (@PRajeevOfficial) April 25, 2023Revolutionising transportation not only in design and technology but also sociallyKeralas Water Metro Service, a ground-breaking transport venture inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has hired 30 women from the Kudumbashree self-help group for cleaning and ticketing. Eighteen women are working in the ticketing sector and 12 in housekeeping, out of a total of 74 employees. More women from Kochi East, South, Mulavukad, and Elamkunnapuzha would be employed as needed, according to Kudumbashree. These ladies were hired through the Kudumbashree Initiative for Business Solutions (KIBS), which hires women based on their educational qualifications.Kudumbashree, a Kerala-based womens empowerment organisation, has put women to work significantly. Currently, 262 women are employed by KIBS in the Vyttila mobility centre, the Industries Department, and the Kerala Institute of Local Administration (KILA). In addition, 555 Kudumbashree women work at Kochi Metro Rails 24 stations, providing a variety of tasks like housekeeping, ticketing, customer care services, help desk, gardening, kitchen, and cafeteria services.
