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Saturday, August 17, 2024
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Kochi Water Metro will launch its Mattancherry route in October, expanding its network with a new terminal and additional boats, enhancing connectivity and tourism.
Kochi Water Metro Set to Expand Services to Mattancherry by October
The Kochi Water Metro, which has surpassed the milestone of 2.5 million passengers, is set to launch its service to Mattancherry by October, according to Manorama Online. The construction of the new boat terminal near Mattancherry Corporation Park is expected to be completed by then. Currently, there is no service to Mattancherry due to silt accumulation at the nearby State Water Transport Department jetty. However, once the terminal is ready, the Water Metro will commence its operations to Mattancherry, marking its sixth route in Kochi. Additionally, three new boats will join the Water Metro fleet by that time.
Tourist Appeal
While the Water Metro was initially introduced to provide high-standard water transportation for residents of the islands around Kochi, it has become increasingly popular with tourists. Many Kochi residents also use the service as tourists. In just a year, the Water Metro has firmly established itself in the city. Even visitors with limited time can enjoy a short leisure trip on the Water Metro. A popular trend among passengers involves parking at Marine Drive, boarding a boat from the High Court terminal, exploring Fort Kochi and Mattancherry, and returning to Marine Drive.
Scenic Route to Chittoor
Despite offering one of the most scenic water journeys, the route to South Chittoor has yet to gain widespread popularity. This 7-kilometer round trip around small islands and islets is not well-known among tourists, including foreign visitors to Kochi. The Water Metro service on this route currently operates only during morning and evening office hours, which might explain its limited use by tourists. The ticket for this journey costs Rs 40.
Rising Number of Regular Passengers
The Vyttila-Kakkanad Water Metro route is seeing an increase in regular passengers, primarily non-tourists. With Kochi Metro Rail Limited’s e-bus service set to start as a feeder service to the jetty next month, connecting Infopark and Kakkanad, the number of passengers is expected to rise further. A previous KSRTC feeder bus service from the Chittethukara Metro terminal faced disruptions, leading to uncertainty among passengers about their journeys. As traffic congestion on Civil Line Road increases due to metro rail construction, the Vyttila-Kakkanad route is likely to see even more passengers.
Current Routes
The Kochi Water Metro currently operates five routes: High Court–Vypin, High Court–Fort Kochi, High Court–South Chittoor, South Chittoor–Cheranallur, and Vyttila–Kakkanad. The High Court to Fort Kochi route is the most popular, with 60% of passengers starting their journey from the High Court jetty. This route also generates the most revenue for the Water Metro.
