KWML extends water ferries to nearby areas; however, 15 unfinished water ferries are to be purchased

Kochi Yuanyuan Ferry from Vyttila Mobility Hub. |Photo source: Thulasi Kakkat

In an effort to expand Kochi Water Metro Ferry service to nearby Alappuzha, Nedumbassery and Kodungalloor, Kochi’s Water Metro Limited (KWML) was unable to finalize a tender to procure 15 100-passenger capacity ferries.

This is attributed to delays in obtaining sanctions from German lender KFC. In addition to the Kumbalam-Alappuzha route, other potential long-term routes for operating ferries during the initial stages of the project include the Aluva-Nedumbassery and Paravur-Kodungalloor corridors. Visitors are also expected to travel on ferries on these routes, just like in the High Court-Kochi corridor.

Although a total of 78 electric ferries were envisaged under the water and iron project, 23 ferries were ordered with the Cochin Shipyard.

18 of them have been delivered, and the balance is expected to be handed over to five ferries in the coming months.

KWML floating tenders are 15 of the 30 electric hybrid ferries envisioned in Phase 1 of the project. These ferries are expected to provide water transport connections from the mainland to 10 islands in Kochi. Sources said they could also run to Alappuzha and two other destinations if everything works as planned.

Canals must also be developed for transit in the Aluva-Nedumbassery corridor. The extension is at the proposal stage and will depend on the results of the feasibility study.

Earlier this year, Kochi Metro Co., Ltd. (KMRL) began a feasibility study to explore the feasibility of Kollam’s water ferry service and 17 locations in other states. This is after the Ministry of Ports, Transport and Waterways will be responsible for the agency’s mission. Subway agencies then formed an internal committee to lead the initial work.

Potential sites for the study include the Brahmaputra River in Guwahati, Dal Lake and Kashmir in Jamu, and other cities being considered by Andman and Island Connections in No. are Ahmedabad (Sababamati), Mangaruru, Yedhya, Goa, goa, gochi, patna, Patna, Patna, patreagraj, Srinagar, Srinagar, Vanasi, Vanasi, Mamumbai, Kochi, Kollam, Kollam and Vasai.