Kochi Water Metro

  1. Home
  2. Wiki

KWM
Overview
OwnerGovernment of Kerala (74%)
KMRL (26%)
LocaleKochi, Kerala, India
Transit typeFerry
Number of lines16 (Planned)
4(Operational)
Line number
Number of stations38 (Total)
9 (Completed)
9 (Operational)
Daily ridership34,000 (After phase 1 completion)
150,000 (When fully operational)
HeadquartersJ. L. N. Stadium metro station 4th Floor, Kaloor, Kochi, Kerala
WebsiteKWM
Operation
Began operation26 April 2023; 2 years ago (2023-04-26)[1]
Operator(s)KMRL
Number of vehicles23
Headway10 - 20 minutes
Technical
System length76 km (47 mi)
Average speed8 knots (15 km/h)
Top speed10 knots (19 km/h)

Kochi Water Metro (KWM) is a ferry transport system serving the Greater Kochi region in Kerala, India. It is the first water metro system in India and the first integrated water transport system of this size in Asia. When fully operational, it will connect Kochi’s 10 island communities with the mainland through a fleet of 78 battery-operated electric hybrid boats operating along 38 terminals and 16 routes spanning 76 kilometres (47 mi).[2] It is integrated with the Kochi Metro and serves as a feeder service to the suburbs along the rivers where transport accessibility is limited.[3]

Apart from ferry service, the project also contemplates development of the new and existing access roads to jetties and islands. Two boatyards are proposed, at Thevara and Pizhala. Tourism is also proposed to be promoted as part of the project.[4]

Construction started in 2016, and the first route between Vyttila and InfoPark was inaugurated in February 2021 by Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan.[5] It was officially inaugurated and opened to passengers by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on 25 April 2023.[6] It is also described as the largest electric-boat metro transportation infrastructure being implemented in the world.[7] As of 25 April 2025, Kochi Water Metro have served over 4 million passengers.[8]

History

[edit]
Passengers inside the Kochi Water Metro boat

In 2020, the Kochi Water Metro ordered 23 electric ferries, as part of the first stage of a project to introduce 78 zero-emission vessels.[9] The ferries were ordered to be built by Cochin Shipyard, with propulsion systems designed by Siemens and Echandia.[9] Cochin Shipyard delivered the first of 23 electric ferries in January 2022.[10]

The phase 1 consists of 3 lines out of which the Vyttila-InfoPark was inaugurated on 15 February 2021.[11] The Vypin-High Court line began service on 26 April 2023 and the Vyttila-Kakkanad line began service on 27 April 2023. Phase 1 is expected to be fully operational in 2024 and on becoming so, it is expected to serve 34,000 passengers a day. The entire water metro system is expected to become fully operational by 2035 with a daily ridership of 1.5 lakh passengers. The annual carbon emissions is also expected to reduce by 44,000 tonnes once the project is fully operational.

In January 2025, the Kochi Water Metro added an emergency response boat to its fleet, meant to respond to potential accidents, fires, and natural disasters.[12]

Routes and Terminals

[edit]
High Court water metro station
Kochi Water Metro Boat at Highcourt Boat Jetty
Route Map of Kochi Water Metro

Kochi is mostly surrounded by backwaters and bordered by the Arabian Sea. It is interconnected by hundreds of waterways, which offers a way to make the public transport system much more accessible and environment friendly. Water Metro is expected to solve the travel issues of the islanders of Willington, Kumbalam, Vypeen, Edakochi, Nettoor, Vyttila, Eroor, Kakkanad, and Mulavukad.[13] In the first phase, the water metro started sailing on two routes, High Court to Vypin and Vyttila to Kakkanad with eight electric-hybrid boats.[14]

On 14 March 2024, two new routes and four stations were inaugurated. One route is from High Court station to South Chittoor, through Bolgatty and Mulavukad North, while the other route is from South Chittoor to Cheranelloor through Eloor.[15]

Stations in service

[edit]
Station name Image
1 Eloor
2 Cheranallur
3 South Chittoor
4 Bolgatty
5 High Court
6 Vypin
7 Fort Kochi
8 Vyttila
9 Kakkanad

Funding

[edit]

The total cost of the Water Metro project is ₹1,137 crore (US$130 million). The KfW Development Bank will be providing EUR 85 million as long-term soft loan and the Government of Kerala and KMRL will be contributing ₹102 crore (US$12 million).[16][17]

Operations

[edit]

Fare collection

[edit]

The minimum ticket price of the metro system is 20 rupees and the maximum ticket charge is 40 rupees. Weekly passes are available at 180 rupees whereas a monthly pass costs 600 rupees and a quarterly 1500. Single journey tickets and various travel passes are available from the ticket counters in the terminals. Water Metro can be accessed using the Kochi Metro One card. It is also possible to travel using the mobile QR code booked through the Kochi One app.[18] The Automatic Fare Collection system being implemented by the Kochi Metro will be extended to water transport system which facilitates travelling the metro train and the boat using the same ticket.[citation needed]

During off-peak hours Water Metro Ferries are available for rent on an hourly basis for tourism.[19]

Frequency

[edit]

In the first phase, the service will be provided from 7 am to 8 pm. The service frequency is 15 minutes during peak hours.[20] The headways vary between 10 minutes to 20 minutes across various routes.[citation needed]

Management

[edit]

Kochi Water Metro Limited has been formed as a Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) with 74% of the shareholding being owned by the Kerala government and 26% by Kochi Metro Rail Limited (KMRL). It is operated and maintained by the KMRL.[21]

Infrastructure

[edit]
Views during Kochi Water Metro ride

Fleet

[edit]

Two variants of modernised air-conditioned and Wi-Fi enabled catamaran passenger boats were proposed for the project. The electric propulsion boats have passenger capacities of 50 and 100, and were designed operate at an optimal speed of about 15 kilometres per hour (8.1 kn), with the potential to increase up to 19 kilometres per hour (10 kn). Of these only the 100 passenger boats have been ordered for manufacturing and for the 50 passenger capacity boats the builder is yet to be finalised.[when?] The boats are equipped with standard safety and communication devices. Small battery operated boats ply on the narrow lanes.[22] The jetties are proposed to have floating pontoons with automatic docking system technology. The floating pontoons are covered with retractable sheds to provide comfort during rainy season.[23]

Kochi Water Metro has two types of boats that can carry 100 passengers and 50 passengers at a time. These boats have won the Gussis Electric Boat Award, an international award for electric boats. The boats and terminals are designed as fully disabled-friendly. Kochi Water Metro has the innovation of a boat that can be operated in battery and hybrid mode.[24] These boats are built in a hybrid system.[citation needed][clarification needed] Boats can be powered by a diesel generator in case of emergency.[citation needed]

Some of the Kochi Water Metro's electric boats are built by Cochin Shipyard, with propulsion systems designed by Siemens and Echandia.[9]

In January 2025, the Kochi Water Metro added an emergency response boat to its fleet, meant to respond to potential accidents, fires, and natural disasters.[12]

Kochi Water Metro is also first of a kind in the world to have such an extensive network of battery-powered boats. The boats uses lithium titanate oxide battery that can be charged very quickly and meets high safety standards. It can be charged in 10–15 minutes and there is a facility to charge the batteries even when the passengers are boarding and disembarking. The speed of the boat is 8 knots in battery mode and 10 knots in hybrid mode.[25]

A thermal camera is also equipped to assist the boat operator during night travel. The boats are also equipped with radars. The passenger counting system is used to enter Kochi Water Metro boats to prevent the number of passengers from getting increased more than the designated level. Floating pontoons which can stay at the same level with the boats during high tide and low tide are the specialty of Kochi Water Metro. The rescue boats of the metro system are able to start rescue operations within 10 minutes in case of any kind of accident.[26]

Operation Control Centre

[edit]
Interiors of Kochi Water Metro boat

The main hub for the Kochi Water Metro is the Operation Control Centre.[27] As of April 2025, the OCC is located in the Vyttila Mobility Hub, although there are plans to move it to the High Court terminal.[27] Kochi Water Metro Officials have stated that "a majority of services are being operated from" the High Court terminal, and that "a majority of passengers are also from" the area, while just one of the system's routes operate near the Vyttila Mobility Hub.[27] Doing so would also free up space in the Vyttila Mobility Hub, enabling the Kochi Water Metro to rent out up about 29,000 square feet (2,700 m2) of space for commercial occupancy.[27]

Recognition

[edit]

International attention

[edit]

The Kochi Water Metro is featured in UN Habitat-World Cities Report Climate Action case studies in its November 2024 edition under the heading "Enhancing Urban Mobility through Low-Carbon Water Transport"[1]. Similar reports were also featured in Development Asia, the Asian Development Bank's knowledge collaboration platform and the NDC Partnership, a coalition of more than 130 countries for Climate Action and Sustainable development.[28][29]

Awards and Recognitions

[edit]

Kochi Water Metro secured won awards for excellence in ferry services with the help of advanced technology connecting inland waterways and building excellent terminals providing the best facilities at the Global Maritime India Summit held in Mumbai from 17 to 19 October 2023.[30]

The electric boats of Kochi Water Metro which were built by Cochin Shipyard Ltd (CSL) have won the prestigious Gussies Electric Boat Award for the year 2022.[31]

Model Replication to other Cities

[edit]

Urban Water Transport System

[edit]

The success of Kochi Water Metro has triggered a feasibility study by the India's Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways to replicate similar projects in other navigable inland waterways in the country. Initially a list of 17 Cities were finalized and later later four more cities were added. This includes Prayagraj, Varanasi, Ayodhya, Patna, Ahmedabad, Surat, Jammu & Kashmir, Goa, Kolkata, Dhubri, Mangaluru, Kollam, Alappuzha, Mumbai, Vasai, Tezpur, Dibrugarh, Cuttack and Chilika.[32]

Confirmed Projects

[edit]

Karnataka's Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has approved the Mangaluru Water Metro project on April 23, 2025, making Karnataka the second state in India to adopt such an extensive water-based transit system.[33]

Consultancy services

[edit]

KMRL has developed extensive expertise in various areas, such as electric boat design and construction, inland water transportation solutions, green energy solutions tailored for the marine sector, infrastructure planning meeting Metro Rail standards, project management capabilities, and operational excellence. This enables them to offer the below list of consulting services for the implementation of similar systems in cities worldwide with navigable waterways.[34]

  1. Conducting feasibility studies and preparing Detailed Project Reports (DPR).
  2. Facilitating the land acquisition process in collaboration with the revenue department and Local Self-Government Departments (LSGDs).
  3. Conducting geological and topographic surveys, including LiDAR surveys.
  4. Performing hydrographic surveys and assessing navigation feasibility, including channel marking.
  5. Assisting in liaising with various government departments and statutory authorities in India.
  6. Providing design & construction monitoring and supervision for both civil and marine infrastructures.
  7. Designing and developing modern sea-going and inland vessels.
  8. Implementing Intelligent Transport Management Systems.
  9. Developing and implementing Passenger Control Systems and Automatic Fare Collection (AFC) gate systems for efficient operations.
  10. Offering operational support for marine projects and assisting with operational readiness for the operation team.
  11. Assisting with any other marine-related projects.
  12. Supervising the installation of EV charging stations.

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ Amit Chaturvedi (25 April 2023). "India's First Water Metro To Be Inaugurated In Kochi Today: 5 Points". NDTV. Archived from the original on 25 April 2023. Retrieved 25 April 2023.
  2. ^ "Kochi Water Metro is Asia's first integrated water transport system: Chief Minister". www.manoramaonline.com. 25 April 2023. Archived from the original on 25 April 2023. Retrieved 25 April 2023.
  3. ^ "Water metro tops priority list". The Hindu. 22 June 2016. ISSN 0971-751X. Archived from the original on 20 October 2021. Retrieved 25 April 2023.
  4. ^ "Kochi to become first Indian city to get 'Water Metro'". The Times of India. 18 June 2016. Archived from the original on 9 July 2016. Retrieved 22 July 2016.
  5. ^ "Water metro clears last environmental hurdle". The News Minute. 30 October 2019. Archived from the original on 23 December 2019. Retrieved 23 December 2019.
  6. ^ Philip, Shaju (25 April 2023). "PM Modi inaugurates Kochi Water Metro: What is this public boat service?". Indian Express. Retrieved 6 June 2023.
  7. ^ "World's Largest Integrated Water Transport System Under A Single Command". Retrieved 25 April 2023.
  8. ^ "Kochi Water Metro completes two years with 4 million passengers; plans to expand to more locations". @mathrubhumi. Retrieved 28 May 2025.
  9. ^ a b c "Kochi Water Metro". Echandia. Retrieved 20 August 2025.
  10. ^ "Cochin Shipyard handovers India's first Water Metro ferry to Kochi Metro". Urban Transport News. Archived from the original on 28 January 2022. Retrieved 28 January 2022.
  11. ^ "Kochi will have to wait longer for Water Metro". The New Indian Express. Archived from the original on 8 April 2022. Retrieved 8 April 2022.
  12. ^ a b "Kochi Water Metro gets Emergency Response Boat". Kochi Water Metro. 26 January 2025. Retrieved 20 August 2025.
  13. ^ "3 Water Metro Terminals Ready For Functioning | Kochi News - Times of India". The Times of India. TNN. 6 March 2022. Archived from the original on 27 December 2022. Retrieved 27 December 2022.
  14. ^ "PM Modi on 2-day Kerala visit, will launch India's first water metro, meet church leaders". India Today. Archived from the original on 24 April 2023. Retrieved 24 April 2023.
  15. ^ "രണ്ട് പുതിയ റൂട്ടിലേക്ക് കൊച്ചി വാട്ടർ മെട്രോയെത്തുന്നു; നാല് ടെർമിനലുകളുടെ ഉദ്ഘാടനം വ്യാഴാഴ്ച്ച". Samayam Malayalam (in Malayalam). Retrieved 13 March 2024.
  16. ^ "KMRL, German bank to sign pact for Water Metro". New Indian Express. 22 July 2016. Archived from the original on 23 July 2016. Retrieved 22 July 2016.
  17. ^ E, Krishna Kumar K. (18 April 2025). "Germany happy with Kochi Water Metro, keen to fund more vessels". The New Indian Express. Retrieved 28 May 2025.
  18. ^ "കാത്തിരിപ്പിന് മണിക്കൂറുകൾ മാത്രം ,രാജ്യത്തെ ആദ്യ വാട്ടർമെട്രോ സർവീസ്, മോദി നാളെ ഉദ്ഘാടനം ചെയ്യും". www.asianetnews.com. Archived from the original on 25 April 2023. Retrieved 24 April 2023.
  19. ^ "Now, rent a Water Metro ferry to go on backwater tours". The Hindu. 5 February 2025. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 28 May 2025.
  20. ^ "കൊച്ചി വാട്ടർ മെട്രോ: റൂട്ട്, സമയം, നിരക്ക് | അറിയേണ്ടതെല്ലാം". Twentyfournews.com. 23 April 2023. Archived from the original on 25 April 2023. Retrieved 24 April 2023.
  21. ^ "Kerala govt, KMRL sign pact, Kochi Water Metro to set sail soon". www.onmanorama.com. Retrieved 25 April 2023.
  22. ^ "Kochi Water Metro project moves ahead in full steam". Manorama Online. 18 June 2016. Archived from the original on 25 July 2016. Retrieved 22 July 2016.
  23. ^ Staff Reporter (19 December 2022). "KMRL floats tender for Design and construction of Kochi Water Metro Project". Metro Rail News. Archived from the original on 9 January 2023. Retrieved 9 January 2023.
  24. ^ "നീരണിയുമോ വാട്ടർ മെട്രോ? സജ്ജമായി 9 ബോട്ടുകൾ, പ്രധാനമന്ത്രി ഉദ്ഘാടനം ചെയ്യുമെന്ന പ്രതീക്ഷയിൽ കേരളം". Samayam Malayalam (in Malayalam). Archived from the original on 19 April 2023. Retrieved 25 April 2023.
  25. ^ Daily, Keralakaumudi. "കൊച്ചി വാട്ടർ മെട്രോ; കുതിക്കട്ടെ ഗതാഗതവും വിനോദസഞ്ചാരവും". Keralakaumudi Daily. Archived from the original on 25 April 2023. Retrieved 25 April 2023.
  26. ^ "India First Water Metro:തലയുയർത്തി കൊച്ചി; രാജ്യത്തെ ആദ്യ വാട്ടർ മെട്രോ; ഓളപ്പരപ്പിലെ യാത്രയ്ക്ക് ആദ്യം ഒമ്പത് ബോട്ടുകൾ". Samayam Malayalam (in Malayalam). Archived from the original on 25 April 2023. Retrieved 25 April 2023.
  27. ^ a b c d K E, Krishna Kumar (10 April 2025). "Kochi Water Metro to shift operations control from Vyttila Hub to HC terminal". The New Indian Express. Retrieved 20 August 2025.
  28. ^ "Enhancing Urban Mobility through Low-Carbon Water Transport". Development Asia. 29 August 2023. Retrieved 28 May 2025.
  29. ^ "Enhancing Urban Mobility through Low-Carbon Water Transport: Kochi Water Metro Project | NDC Partnership". ndcpartnership.org. Retrieved 28 May 2025.
  30. ^ Service, Express News (20 October 2023). "Kochi Water Metro wins awards at Maritime India Summit". The New Indian Express. Retrieved 20 March 2024.
  31. ^ "Water Metro boats win Gussies award". The Times of India. 18 November 2022. ISSN 0971-8257. Retrieved 28 May 2025.
  32. ^ "Four more cities selected for Water Metro feasibility study". The Times of India. 24 April 2025. ISSN 0971-8257. Retrieved 28 May 2025.
  33. ^ "Mangaluru soon to get water metro system; second in India after Kerala". The Times of India. 26 April 2025. ISSN 0971-8257. Retrieved 28 May 2025.
  34. ^ "Kochi Water Metro | Consultancy-Services". Kochi Water Metro. Retrieved 28 May 2025.