Bhubaneswar: Prime Minister Narendra Modi will flag off India’s first water metro, connecting Kochi’s islands to the mainland, in Kerala on Tuesday.
The one-of-its-kind project with air-conditioned boats is being launched at a cost of Rs 1,136.83 crore in the port city and provide safe, affordable, and pocket-friendly travel to people in and around Kochi and also boost tourism and economic growth.
KOCHI METRO PROJECT
This unique urban mass transit system, funded by Government of Kerala and German firm KfW, will start with eight electric hybrid boats in two routes, Highcourt to Vypin and Vyttila to Kakkanad stretches. Commuters will be able to reach Vypin Terminal from High Court Terminal in less than 20 minutes without getting stuck in traffic and Kakkanad within 25 minutes from Vyttila.
The specialty of Kochi Water Metro is the floating pontoons that can stay at the same level with the boat during eavesdropping and descending times.
Overall project comprises 78 electric boats and 38 terminals.
TICKETS
Minimum ticket rate for a boat journey is Rs 20. There are weekly and monthly passes for regular passengers. One can travel in Kochi Metro Rail and Kochi Water Metro using Kochi One Card. Tickets can be booked digitally through Kochi One App.
A weekly trip pass with 12 trips will cost Rs 180 while the monthly pass with 50 trips will cost Rs 600. The quarterly pass will cost Rs 1,500 and passengers will be able to avail 150 trips within a period of 90 days.
TIMINGS
High Court to Vypin will start operations from April 26 at 7 am and Vyttila to Kakkanad from April 27 at 7 am. Boats will operate in the High Court to Vypin route every 15 minutes during the peak hours. The service will continue till 8 pm.
