Cochin Shipyard launched first electric boat for Kochi Water Metro project

Kochi, India (Urban Transport News): The Cochin Shipyard Limited (CSL) has launched the first boat for the Kochi Water Metro project on 3rd March 2021 in presence of Alkesh Kumar Sharma IAS, Managing Director, Kochi Metro Rail Limited (KMRL) and Madhu S Nair, Chairman and Managing Director, CSL and other senior officials.

This boat was the first of the 23 boats being built by Cochin Shipyard Ltd (CSL) against the order given by KMRL. The boat can accommodate 100 passengers at a time. The underwater works of the boat have been completed, and the remaining work is progressing fast, a statement from KMRL said.

The first boat will be commissioned after the successful completion of its basin trial and sea trial by the CSL. Construction of the remaining 22 boats are underway at Cochin Shipyard.

Through the Kochi Water Metro project, KMRL will offer feeder services to people that will connect islands and city suburbs such as Vypeen, Willingdon Island, Edakochi, Kumbalam, Nettoor, Vyttila, Eloor, Kakkanad, Bolgatti and Mulavukad.

In February, Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan inaugurated the first route of Kochi Water Metro from Vyttila to Kakkanad. The Kochi Water Metro system will comprise 38 stations in 15 routes, covering a distance of 78.6 kilometers. The boats will be fully air-conditioned and will use green energy and that they will not be dependent on fossil fuels.

According to KMRL, the construction work of the terminals in Vyttila and Kakkanad is almost completed and the construction works of the terminals in Kadamakkudy and Paliam Thuruth have been commenced.

"The tender procedures for the construction of terminals at Bolgatty, Fort Kochi, Mattancherry, Cheranalloor, South Chittoor, Mulavukad North and Ernakulam Ferry are also complete. The terminals are constructed in such a way that their boat jetties will float on the water surface for hassle-free anchoring during low and high tides without a difference," said sources from KMRL.

In the second phase of Kochi Water Metro project, KMRL will procure 55 more boats with 50 passenger capacity. Each boat will be able to accommodate up to three wheelchairs to facilitate persons with disabilities.

The total estimated cost of the Kochi Water Metro project is Rs 747 crores and this project is being funded by the German funding agency KfW.