KOCHI: The inland water transport in Kochi is poised for a substantial growth in the coming months with the Kochi Water Metro and the State Water Transport Department (SWTD) enjoying an increased commuter patronage. Both the agencies are now set to add newer routes and boats in the coming months.
While the Water Metro will start services on the Kadamakudy-Paliyam Thuruth and the High Court-Mattanchery routes in two months, the SWTD is mulling to start tourism circuit services to Kakkathuruthu, an island on the outskirts of the city which has been listed in National Geographic’s ‘Around the World in 24 Hours’.
“The construction of boat terminals at Willingdon Island and Mattanchery has almost been completed. Now the power supply needs to be provided. We’ve submitted an application to the Cochin Port Trust with regard to the Willingdon Island jetty. Also, dredging needs to be taken up first before starting the service in November. Along with the High Court - Mattanchery service, we’re considering the operation on the Vypeen-Mattanchery route via Fort Kochi. We are all set to start operations in the Kadamakkudy- Paliyam Thuruth section,” said Shaji P Janardhanan, chief general manager (Water Transport).
The construction of the Kumbalam Terminal too has almost been completed and only the power supply works are pending. “We are considering routes such as Vyttila-Thykoodam-Netoor-Kumbalam as well as the Kumbalam-Edakochi-Thoppumpady. However, it may take some more time as the construction of terminals enroute is still progressing,” the official said.
“The department is currently conducting a feasibility study on starting services to Kakkathuruthu Island, which also enables visitors to enjoy the splendid sights along the interior route,” said Sujith M, SWTD traffic superintendent.
Both agencies have also witnessed a steady rise of commuters. “We are witnessing an increased commuter patronage in recent months. While the ridership for the month of May is 2,18,472 passengers, that for June and July are 2, 19, 819 and 2, 51, 340 commuters respectively,” the SWTD official pointed out.
The average ridership in Water Metro during weekdays is 5,000. However, the same will nearly touch the 10,000-mark during weekends. For instance a total of 9,558 passengers availed of the Water Metro services on August 25 (Sunday). So far over 2.6 crore passengers have travelled in Water Metro ferries since the services were first launched in 2021.
Currently, 15 ferries of the Kochi Water Metro operate on five routes — High Court to Fort Kochi, High Court to Vypeen, High Court to South Chittoor, South Chittoor to Cheranalloor, and Vyttila to Kakkanad. Kochi is the country’s first city to have a Water Metro Project after the launch of the first Water Metro boat in December 2021, namely Muziris. The Cochin Shipyard Ltd is manufacturing a total of 23 boats for Kochi Water Metro. It handed over the 15th electric-hybrid ferry, having 100-passenger capacity, last month.
“Eight more ferries are on the way. Our aim is to deploy a total of 75 e-boats so as to operate services in 15 routes,” a Water Metro official said.
The SWTD too has recently modernised its fleet as two more 100-passenger capacity modern boats are expected to be deployed in the next two months.
“While ‘FC-6’ will be delivered in September, the department expects to take delivery of ‘FC-7’ in October. Both modern ferries will be deployed in Kochi,” the SWTD official said.