RailEnquiry

Kochi: The newly constituted transit-oriented development committee of the Kochi Metro Rail Limited has initiated steps to develop a viable urban water transport system which will function as a feeder route for the Kochi Metro.In order to explore the feasibility of new urban water routes, KMRL managing director Elias George, who is also the additional chief secretary of transport, along with Shaji V. Nair, director, Kerala State Water Transport Department and other officials, undertook a boat journey from Thevara ferry to Kakkanad through national waterway III, on Wednesday.“We need to have a well-networked urban water transport system which should be feasible and can attract passengers. The boat journey has been organised to explore the potential and feasibility of new routes connecting major centres across the city. It is also aimed at creating awareness among the public on the significance of using water transport,” said George. The boat trip started from Thevara ferry, passed through Maradu, Champakkara, Vyttila hub, Eroor to end at Kakkanad.“A boat service on an experimental basis will start on the Vyttila hub-Kakkanad route once the boat jetty near the hub is ready. If found feasible, a regular service will be introduced soon,” said  Shaji Nair. Average time for the Vyttila-Kakkanad journey is 25 minutes. The rate will be fixed after getting the report from NATPAC, which is conducting a study on the cost and other details.

The KMRL and Water Transport authorities are trying to get the project included in the JNNURM (Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission) second phase for financial assistance.

“Boats can be operated at a speed of 10 to 15 nautical miles on this route so passengers coming to Vyttila hub from distant places can reach Kakkanad in a short time, avoiding the heavy traffic,” added Nair.

Apart from integrating with the metro rail, another major objective of developing new urban water routes is to use these as alternatives when the metro work starts.