Kochi Water Metro Begins Commercial Operations After PM Modi's Inauguration — WATCH

The Kochi Water Metro began commercial operations between High Court and Vypin Water Metro terminals and on the Vyttila-Kakkanad route, according to ANI.

A commuter said that the water metro is unlike the regular public transport system and that people will use the Water Metro on a daily basis.

Source : PTI

Kerala government's Kochi Water Metro service, launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi a day ago, commenced its commercial operations on Wednesday. The Kochi Water Metro began commercial operations between High Court and Vypin Water Metro terminals and on the Vyttila-Kakkanad route, according to ANI. The boats started operating from the High Court Water Metro Terminal and Vypin Water Metro Terminal at 7 am. The ticket rate for this route is Rs 20. During peak hours, there will be a boat service every 15 minutes on the High Court- Vypin route. The boat services will continue till 8 pm.

Other than the single-journey tickets, Kochi Water Metro will also have weekly, monthly and quarterly passes. As an inaugural offer, commuters can enjoy discounts for their purchase of various trip passes.

A weekly trip pass with 12 trips is priced at Rs 180 while the monthly trip passes are valid for 30 days having 50 trips would cost Rs 600. The quarterly pass is priced at Rs 1500 and passengers would be able to avail 150 trips within a period of 90 days.

#WATCH | Kochi's Water Metro, which was formally inaugurated by PM Modi yesterday, begins operation today

The boat services have started between High Court and Vyppin Water Metro terminals and on the Vyttila-Kakkanad route pic.twitter.com/uFoJWk0YoN

— ANI (@ANI) April 26, 2023

The eco-friendly vessels can ferry up to 100 people each across the proposed 76-km-long routes at a speed of eight to ten knots. The boat had also won Gussies International Electric Boat awards, 2022. Metro officials said the vessels are fitted with the most advanced and safest battery technology which is capable of supercharging in 15 to 20 minutes.

These vessels are also equipped with life-saving equipment including lifejackets and technology to prevent overcrowding.

Loknath Behera, MD of Kochi Water Metro Limited (KWML) took the first boat service with Vypin islanders from the Vypin water metro terminal. Behera said that the operations would be beneficial to the people and in the future, the frequency and the number of boats will also be increased.

The Director of Finance, Kochi Metro Rail Limited Annapoorani S said that initially 76 kilometres will be covered by the Kochi Water Metro, according to ANI.

A commuter said that the water metro is unlike the regular public transport system and that people will use the Water Metro on a daily basis.

"I am very happy. It is a pleasure to have the opportunity to travel like this. The views outside are something special. This is not like the regular public transport system. The boat is very clean. It has easy access and a ticketing system. It is possible to travel in air conditions in this humidity. Beautiful views from the outside. It will bring a big change in the map of Kochi,” Hariraj, a commuter said. 

“This will take a quick time to travel from Vypin to Ernakulam. They can be completed more easily than any other public transport system," the commuter added.

The flagship project of the Left Front government, set up at a cost of Rs 1,136.83 crore in the port city, will connect 10 islands using 78 electric boats and 38 terminals.