Kerala water metro to be first in country, gets clearance from Centre

Ashwin

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If all goes well, Kochi should have its water metro by November 2020, a year from now. This would be the country’s first water metro.

The central government's environment clearance has come for the Kochi water metro project, which is aimed at connecting 10 islands in Kochi through 15 routes, spanning a distance of 78 km. The project -- being done by the Kochi Metro Rail Ltd -- is expected to benefit more than 100,000 islanders.

"We are planning to complete as many terminals as possible by Nov 2020. Cochin Shipyard has agreed to hand over the first boat of Water Metro by November 2020. Once completed, water metro will be the best water transport project in the entire Asia," says Alkesh Kumar Sharma, Managing Director, KMRL.

Water transport was once the primary means of transport for goods and passengers on the Vembanad Lake. It has however been declining over the last few decades. The KMRL project proposal says that the project is expected to reduce pollution and traffic congestion in the city and also ease access to business areas on the mainland for urban households along the Kochi lakeshore. Water transport is also inherently more energy efficient than rail and road transport. The project plans to inroduce modern energy efficient environment friendly and safe boats.

There's be a fleet of 78 electrically propelled hybrid ferries plying to 38 jetties. The number of stations identified is 38. It is envisaged to be a 'socially inclusive transport system than being just a transport service’, says the proposal.

The project is estimated to cost Rs 747.28 crore with core water transport infrastructure estimated at Rs 435.37 crore. It has external funding from the German Funding Agency KfW, for Rs 579 crore. The remaining is funded by the government of Kerala. Private funding of Rs 66 crore is also expected to happen.

Kerala water metro to be first in country, gets clearance from Centre
Cochin Shipyard bags order worth Rs175.7cr for water metro project


Shares of Cochin Shipyard gained 1.5% on the BSE after the company received an order worth Rs175.7cr for the water metro project in Kochi.

“Further to the intimation dated September OS, 2019 with respect to the receipt of Letter of Acceptance (LoA) from Kochi Metro Rail Limited (KMRL) for building 23 boats for the Kochi Water Metro Project, we wish to inform you that the contract for design and construction of 23 nos. of Hybrid-Electric Passenger Ferries have been signed between Cochin Shipyard Limited (CSL) and KMRL on October 29, 2019, at Kochi,” the company said. The company received contract worth Rs175.70cr, it added.

Cochin Shipyard Ltd is currently trading at Rs396.40, up by Rs4.25 or 1.08% from its previous closing of Rs392.15 on the BSE.

The scrip opened at Rs393.15 and has touched a high and low of Rs402.80 and Rs386.50 respectively.
 
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Kochi Water Metro update: Construction of Hybrid passenger boats begins

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The plate-cutting ceremony of Kochi Water Metro’s 100 pax Hybrid Electric passenger boat was held at Cochin Shipyard Limited (CSL) on 24.08.2020, as per Social Media update of Kochi Metro Rail. The plate-cutting of the Aluminium Hull, part of the hybrid boat, was attended by CSL’s Chairman and Managing Director, Shri Madhu S Nair and Kochi Metro Rail Limited, Managing Director, Shri Alkesh Kumar Sharma IAS, Additional Chief Secretary.


“This marks the beginning of construction of Water Metro’s passenger ferries. I can see the professionalism and passion at CSL. We are looking forward to the timely delivery of the boats so that Kochhites can cherish the dream of travelling in Water Metro soon.” said Shri Alkesh Kumar Sharma.
“This is for the first time in the world a top class battery-driven passenger boat is being built. I can promise you that Cochin Shipyard will deliver state-of-the-art vessels for Kochi Metro. We all know how Kochi metro has set international benchmarks in various aspects. We will be ready with the boat by the end of the year. As a team, KMRL and CSL will work together for the success of the project.” said Shri Madhu S Nair.

  • Shri Madu S Nair did the honours in the plate cutting ceremony where the Shri Alkesh Kumar Sharma along with other dignitaries participated, following strict COVID protocol.
  • The boats will have a capacity to carry 100 passengers each and will be powered by an electric propulsion system equipped with lithium titanium oxide batteries.
  • CSL will deliver the state of the art Vessels for Kochi Water Metro by this year end.

About Kochi Water Metro project:


  • The construction of the Water Metro is progressing at a faster pace.
  • The Kochi Water Metro project envisages the development of 15 identified routes, connecting 10 islands along a network of routes that span 78 km with a fleet of 78 fast, electrically propelled hybrid ferries plying to 38 jetties.
  • More than 1,00,000 islanders are expected to benefit from the water metro.
  • With the introduction of the project that connects 15 routes, Kochiites can reach the mainland in less time.
  • It is envisaged to be a socially inclusive transport system than being just a transport service with focus on improved livelihoods through commercial property development and tourism-based initiatives.
  • The Kochi Water Metro Project intends to introduce modern, energy efficient, environment friendly and safe boats with low wake and draft characteristics at a high frequency to increase ridership.
  • The Kochi Water Metro project has a total value of Rs. 819 crores and major part of which is financed under Indo-German Financial Cooperation with a long-term loan agreement of 85 million Euros (Indian Rupees Rs. 579 Crore) with German funding agency, KfW, for the development of an integrated water transport system for the city of Kochi.
 

Kerala’s first water taxi launched

Traffic congestion and pollution will encourage more people to use water transport, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan has said.

He was virtually launching the State’s first water taxi and a catamaran boat service of the State Water Transport Department (SWTD) here on Thursday. Mr. Vijayan said that both could be used by the public and tourists alike. Speaking on the importance of waterways in the development of the State, the Chief Minister said that the government was committed to completing the Kovalam-Kasaragod waterway.


10 pax Catamaran Water Taxi

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video (Malayalam)


Designed by Navgathi, Kochi

100 pax High Speed Catamaran Ferry (6 more on order)

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Built by Praga Marine, Kochi
Designed by Don Tate, UK.

@Ashwin
 
wow water metro, seems mallus are doing it in style. This will add greatly to already existing tourism industry. I wonder what will be the reaction of all those house boat owners who might be impacted.
This will be mostly used inside Kochi, probably around Marine drive to Fort Kochi, vallarpadam terminal. Many boats are already plying on those routes. Beyond that I am not sure as of now.
 
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wow water metro, seems mallus are doing it in style. This will add greatly to already existing tourism industry. I wonder what will be the reaction of all those house boat owners who might be impacted.
These are daily utility boats go around cochin area. What you are referring to are tourist boats which is not active here.
 
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