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New Indian Express
15 hours ago
- Business
- New Indian Express
Kochi water metro to connect Kadamakkudy islands; launch expected ahead of Village Fest
KOCHI: For long, commuting has been an issue faced by visitors flocking to the scenic Kadamakkudy islands located on the outskirts of the city. But come this year's Village Fest there, dubbed as Kadamakkudy Carnival, the Water Metro authorities promise to launch ferry services to the serene island that recently captured the imagination of none other than industrialist Anand Mahindra. 'The construction work of Kadamakkudy terminal is in the finishing stages. We aim to finish the remaining works, mainly that of floating jetties, in another three months and start the service. We're slated to receive another vessel from the Cochin Shipyard next month, which will be deployed in the section,' Sajan P John, chief operating officer (COO), told TNIE. The authorities are planning to operate services to Kadamakkudy-Paliyamthuruth from High Court or Mattancherry water terminals. 'What we aim is to provide connectivity to Kadamakuddy island. Hence, similar passenger ferries will be deployed. However, we expect more tourists than normal passengers since there are only small numbers of residents in the islands. In the Fort Kochi section too, a lot of tourists are availing the normal service. We'll redefine the route either from High Court or Mattancherry terminal as per demand. Now the plan is to start the service from the High Court initially,' the official added. However, KWML won't be operating back-to-back services as in the case of Fort Kochi or Kakkanad sections.
New Indian Express
19-07-2025
- New Indian Express
Showers drive up metro ridership as traffic surges on rain-battered roads in Kochi
KOCHI: Kochi Metro ridership has surged in the last three weeks, with an increasing number of commuters turning to the mass rapid transit system as incessant monsoon rains add to the proliferating network of potholes, which have exacerbated the gridlock on key stretches of road, especially during rush hour. 'While our average daily ridership is one lakh, this was breached several days this month,' a Kochi Metro spokesperson said. Total daily ridership was 1,10,458 on July 7, an impressive 1,32,973 on July 8, 1,15,196 on July 10, and 1,13,873 on July 14. However, the city's much-touted Water Metro has seen a dip in patronage since the onset of heavy rains: Daily passenger footfall was 2,704 on July 15, against the average of 6,000. 'Earlier, I used to take a private bus to the railway station. But now I get down at JLN Stadium and catch the metro. I do this to avoid slow-moving traffic on Banerjee Road. Traffic woes have compounded with the arrival of rainy season. I switched to the metro after I missed my return train one day,' said Aparna S, an IT professional who commutes daily between Alappuzha and Infopark. Pothole-riddled and waterlogged roads have compounded the misery of motorists and pedestrians alike and traffic blocks are now a common sight at major intersections such as Palarivattom, Edappally and Vyttila. 'With incessant rains continuing to lash the city, daily city commuters, especially those living near metro stations, have switched over to the elevated transportation system,' pointed out V C Jayendran, convenor of the Tripunithura Rajanagari Union of Residents Associations (TRURA), an umbrella organisation of nearly 140 residents' associations. Highlighting the metro's unique advantage, he added, 'It assures that you reach your destination on time. It takes only 15 minutes to travel from Tripunithura railway station to South railway station. It cancels out the unpredictability of taking to congested roads.' The situation is especially bad at Vyttila Junction. 'Now, the queue of vehicles at the junction extends all the way to Elamkulam metro station during the morning and evening peak hours,' rued Vyttila councillor Sunitha Dixon. Expressing anguish over the delay in implementing a traffic-reform plan, she noted that measures such as the 'free left turn' haven't been effectively implemented. 'Stakeholders should carry out the proposals on a war-footing,' Sunitha said, adding that the Kerala Road Fund Board has allotted Rs 1.5 crore for developing the junction. As Kochi grapples with its monsoon-induced nightmares, the metro stands tall as a crucial lifeline, offering relief to thousands of commuters navigating the city's increasingly challenging road network.
The Hindu
17-06-2025
- Business
- The Hindu
KMRL submits feasibility study report for Water Metro project in Mumbai
Kochi Metro Rail Limited (KMRL) is in the process of expanding its footprint nationwide, with its consultancy division submitting a comprehensive feasibility study report to implement a Water Metro ferry system in Mumbai to Nitish Rane, the Ports and Fisheries Minister of Maharashtra. Modelled on the lines of the Kochi Water Metro project, the report would cover the entire Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR). The proposed project envisions connecting various waterbodies including Vaitarna, Vasai, Manori, Thane, Panvel, and Karanja creeks, effectively covering the entire MMR. It outlines a 250-kilometre waterway network with 29 terminals and 10 routes, says a KMRL release. The feasibility study was presented at a high-level meeting chaired by Mr. Rane in Mumbai. The KMRL team was led by Chief General Manager Shaji P. Janardhanan, Senior Deputy General Manager Nishanth N. and Manager Arjun Krishna K.
New Indian Express
17-06-2025
- Business
- New Indian Express
KMRL submits feasibility study for Mumbai Water Metro: 250-km network, 29 terminals proposed
KOCHI: In a major step towards expanding its national footprint, Kochi Metro Rail Limited (KMRL) has submitted a detailed feasibility study report for a Water Metro project in Mumbai, modelled on its successful Kochi Water Metro initiative. The proposed plan envisions a 250-kilometre waterway network, with 29 terminals and 10 routes, covering the entire Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR). The report was submitted to Maharashtra Ports and Fisheries Minister Nitish Rane, who officially received it and directed relevant departments to initiate steps toward its implementation. 'We expect the Maharashtra government to entrust us with the preparation of the Detailed Project Report (DPR) for the Mumbai Water Metro as well,' a senior KMRL official said, adding that Minister Rane appreciated the quality and timeliness of the report. The proposed water metro will connect several key water bodies and creeks across MMR, including Vaitarna, Vasai, Manori, Thane, Panvel, and Karanja, offering an integrated and eco-friendly transport alternative.
India Today
17-06-2025
- Business
- India Today
Patna to launch water metro soon: All you need to know
The capital of Bihar, Patna, is set to witness a major transformation in public transport with the introduction of Water Metro Services — an ambitious initiative announced by Union Minister for Ports, Shipping and Waterways, Sarbananda Sonowal. This initiative is part of the government's broader push to harness India's inland waterways for sustainable transportation, economic growth, and tourism MODERN ALTERNATIVE FOR URBAN TRANSPORTThe Water Metro in Patna will serve as a cleaner, more efficient, and eco-friendly urban transportation system by utilising the Ganga River. The proposed system is expected to connect both banks of the river, easing congestion on roads and providing a seamless commuting option for thousands of daily HIGHLIGHTS: WHAT TO EXPECT16 new jetties will be constructed across Patna. 2 modern terminals will be developed.A dedicated vessel hub will be established to maintain and manage the National Inland Waterways Institute (NIWI), based in Patna, will be upgraded as a centre of excellence to support the project and future waterway developments aim to transform Patna into a major hub for inland water transport in the eastern region of TO TOURISM AND LOCAL ECONOMYAlong with easing daily commutes, the Water Metro project is expected to:advertisementEncourage tourism along the Ganga local employment opportunities in ferry operations, terminal management, and the development of ecotourism and heritage tourism, linking the service with Patna's many cultural per the Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal, the "Water Metro" will connect both banks of the river and offer a clean, efficient, and modern urban mobility solution. He also stated that the National Inland Navigation Institute is being upgraded as a centre of excellence with fresh investment to support this vision."The upcoming Water Metro service in Patna is not just a transport initiative—it symbolises the future of urban development in river-rich cities. As work begins on this ambitious project, it stands to not only modernize public mobility but also spark new growth avenues for tourism, employment, and sustainable infrastructure in Bihar.
