Kochi Water Metro Services Set to Reach Kadamakudy by Onam

The Kochi Water Metro’s ferry services are anticipated to expand to Kadamakudy, a well-known tourist destination, by the upcoming Onam festival.

A floating pontoon for ferry dockage is already in place at the Kadamakudy terminal, with final construction nearing completion. The electric charging infrastructure is expected to be operational within the next ten days. Sajan John, Chief Operating Officer of Kochi Water Metro Limited (KWML), stated, “We are currently awaiting the relocation of numerous Chinese fishing nets along the route, which impede the seamless movement of ferries to the terminal. This relocation may take up to two months and is the responsibility of the Fisheries department. Concurrently, dredging at the terminal site will ensure sufficient depth for the vessels.”

KWML is also awaiting the delivery of three additional ferries from Cochin Shipyard to further extend operations to Kadamakudy. Following this, ferry services will also be expanded from the High Court terminal to Edakochi via Mattancherry, and operations from the Ernakulam terminal adjacent to the State Water Transport department’s Ernakulam Boat Jetty are also in the works. Sources have indicated that the tendering process for this terminal is currently ongoing.

Future Expansion Plans

KWML is expecting approval from the State government to operate ferries in the Aluva Metro station to international airport route via the Periyar River. “The journey can be completed in approximately 15 minutes if Water Metro ferries are permitted to operate at a speed of 20 knots (36 kmph). A direct connection between the Metro station and the terminal could be established with the construction of a 70-meter-long skywalk,” the sources added.

In the meantime, Loknath Behera, the Managing Director of Kochi Metro Rail Limited, has disclosed that a private engineering college has been engaged to conduct a feasibility study concerning this proposal. “We expect the results within a month, followed by a technical study on the airport extension,” he mentioned.