Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated India’s first water metro in Kerala’s Kochi today. The project will have a total of 38 stations and 78 ferry boats
The metro boats are battery operated and will take only 10-12 minutes between routes. The latest technology and safety devices will help in smooth sailing even in rainy season
Kerala CM Pinarayi Vijayan said the Kochi Water Metro project has been made at a cost outlay of Rs 1,136.83 crore. The project has been jointly funded by the Government of Kerala and German bank KfW
The project connects 10 islands around Kochi via battery-operated electric hybrid boats. The first phase from the High Court-Vypin and Vyttila-Kakkanad terminals will be launched today
The country’s maiden water metro will cover 11 districts– Thiruvananthapuram, Ernakulam, Kollam, Kottayam, Thrissur, Palakkad, Pathanamthitta, Malappuram, Kozhikode, Kasargod and Kannur
The water metro will be electrically powered, environmentally friendly, and accessible to specially abled individuals.
Kerala CM Pinarayi Vijayan says passengers can reach from High Court Terminal to Vypin Terminal in less than 20 minutes
The tickets for a boat trip start at Rs 20 per passenger. Weekly and monthly passes will also be available for frequent travellers.
A 12-trip weekly pass costs Rs 180 whereas a 30-day monthly pass with 50 journeys costs Rs 600. Passengers can also book 150 rides with a quarterly pass for Rs 1,500 in 90 days