The country’s first water metro will be started in Kerala. A total of 78 boats will be used for this. However, initially only 8 boats will be run. The Chief Minister of Kerala has said that this will give a boost to tourism in the state.
New Delhi. Prime Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate the country’s first water metro on 25 April 2023. Under this, 78 water boats will be run. It will have a total of 38 terminals, out of which four terminals have been fully commissioned. Asia’s first water metro service is being started in India. It will start in Kerala. The water metro will connect Kochi and its 10 surrounding islands. Not only will the movement of these people be easy, the government will also get a good source of revenue.
Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan has said that it is like a revolution in the field of water transport. He said that this would also give a boost to the tourism of the state. Let us tell you that the boats run as water metro have been made by Cochin Shipyard Limited. The water metro will start with the first 8 boats, then later their number will be increased. This project is funded by the Government of Kerala in collaboration with KFW of Germany.
The world-class #KochiWaterMetro is setting sail! It is Kerala’s 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/XTvUyqw59D
— CMO Kerala (@CMOKerala) April 22, 2023
Route of Water Metro
In the first phase, Kochi Water Metro will start between High Court-Vypin Terminal and Vittila-Kakkanad Terminal. According to the Chief Minister, passengers will reach High Court Terminal Chak from Vipin in 20 minutes. Whereas, the journey from Vitila to Kakkanad terminal can be completed in 25 minutes. Now people do not need to get stuck in the traffic trap. It is being claimed that this metro is eco-friendly and will be run from Lithium Titanate spinel battery. These boats will be air-conditioned and large glass windows have been installed in it to have a beautiful view of the outside. About Rs 1137 crore has been spent on this project.