Kerala CM opens first route of Kochi Water Metro
KOCHI: Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan inaugurated the first route from Vyttila to Kakkanad Infopark and terminal buildings of Kochi Water Metro through video conferencing on Monday.
The chief minister also opened the new Panamkutty Bridge at Peta and launched work on Integrated Urban Regeneration & Water Transport System ( IURWT) project.
“Water Metro is an affordable and environment friendly transport system,” said the chief minister. Minister for Irrigation K Krishnankutty presided over the function.
The Water Metro project was actually scheduled for official inauguration on Feb.22. The government advanced the inaugural function to bypass the election model code of conduct that could come into force soon ater the legislative Assembly polls are announced. The election notification is expected next week. The Election Commission had consulted political parties and state administration the other day, prior to taking decision of election dates.
Commercial services under Water Metro will begin only next month. “Once the statutory certification process is completed, the Water Metro is likely to be opened to public in March 2021,” an official said.
Chief minister also dedicated the 520km first phase of National Waterways stretching from Bekel in north and Kovalam in south Kerala. Billed as the largest organised water transport system in the world, the Rs747-crore Water Metro project is implemented by Kochi Metro Rail Limited (KMRL). There will be 78 boats and 38 jeties in the first phase and more facilities will be incorporated.
The state-of-the-art air-conditioned boats will provide safety, comfort, reliability, punctuality and will be affordable to a large section of people just like the Kochi Metro system, according to officials.
Water Metro will be the metro of people from the islands, linking to the mainland and opening opportunities. A total of 10 islands will be connected through the network according to the present plan. Sixteen terminals out of 38 are being constructed in Phase-1 of the Water Metro Project.