Kerala known for its lush backwaters and spectacular beaches, has launched India's first “water metro”, connecting ten islands with the bustling, centuries-old port city of Kochi. During the opening ceremony, Kerala’s chief minister, Pinarayi Vijayan said, “The Kerala government says the clean-energy project is Asia’s largest integrated water transport system. It will revolutionise water transport and boost tourism in the state.”
Prime minister Narendra Modi who has promised to “connect every corner of the country”, was on hand to inaugurate the 48-mile system. A fleet of 78 electrically propelled boats will ply 15 routes with 38 stops and feed into the city’s metro system.
With a minimum fare of 20 rupees, the project's first phase will carry 34,000 passengers each day. It will benefit residents of the Vembanad lagoon, which is commonly referred to as the "Venice of the East" due to the system of canals that connect its islands. Kochi Metro Rail is in charge of the £111 million network, which will be finished by 2035 and is supported by a loan from the German development bank KfW.
Vijayan said that the project could provide a blueprint for environmentally friendly water transport that could be used in at least 40 of India’s other cities with abundant waterways. The catamaran-hulled, battery powered boats are sleek, non-polluting and leave only a small wake, unlike traditional ferries.
When fully operational, the water metro is expected to reduce carbon emissions by 44,000 tonnes a year. The state government has been keen to revive and modernise water transport, which played a pivotal role in the growth of Kerala, home to 34 million people, and its commercial capital, Kochi, ruled at various times by the Portuguese, the Dutch and the British.