THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The first phase of the ‘Water Metro’ project for Kochi city will be ready for commissioning in 2018-19, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan said on Monday.
The Kochi Water Metro is part of an integrated transport scheme encompassing the islands in the Kochi backwaters and various points on the Champakkara canal in the eastern side.
Replying to questions in the Assembly, the Chief Minister said the detailed project report (DPR) outlines 16 routes, renovation of 38 boat jetties and 78 modern boats. “The feasibility of the project is under final scrutiny,” he said in a written reply to a question by John Fernandez.
Western Kochi, Mattanchery, Fort Kochi, Thoppumpadi and Edakochi are part of the project. The possibility of including more regions would be studied once the present project is completed, the Chief Minister said. The total cost of the project, according to the DPR, is Rs 747.28 crore.
The government has reached an agreement with German financial firm KFW for a long-term loan of Rs 579.71 crore (85 million Euro). The State Government share, he said, would come to Rs 102.30 crore.
The government intends to source Rs 65.27 crore through public-private-partnership mode.