The Aryavarth Express
Agency(Kochi): The much-anticipated expansion of the Kochi Water Metro to the bustling Ernakulam-Fort Kochi corridor is facing potential delays due to a combination of factors, including the announcement of Lok Sabha poll dates, a delay in receiving ferries from Cochin Shipyard Limited (CSL), and difficulties in securing a power connection for the Fort Kochi terminal. Despite these challenges, there is optimism that the extension could still proceed in the near future.
CSL has delivered 13 out of the 23 ordered air-conditioned, electric-hybrid ferries to Kochi Water Metro Limited (KWML), with the shipyard seeking an extension on its deadline from June to October due to difficulties in sourcing specific components. This delay affects the planned service expansion to Fort Kochi, which was anticipated alongside the launch of two new routes.
The lack of sufficient ferries is compounded by delays in obtaining statutory clearances for the Fort Kochi terminal, though it has recently been connected to the power grid. The request for a deadline extension for the delivery of the remaining ferries was discussed in a recent meeting led by the Chief Secretary, with CSL refraining from commenting on the revised timeline.
Despite these setbacks, the Water Metro has seen a resurgence in ridership, with patronage increasing to 6,195 passengers on a recent Sunday, attributed to the commencement of services on the High Court-Bolgatty-South Chittoor and South Chittoor-Eloor-Cheranalloor corridors. The Vyttila-Kakkanad route also witnessed an uptick in commuters following the addition of 14 more trips. Officials are hopeful that daily ridership will soon exceed 10,000 as the examination season concludes and more families and tourists opt for backwater cruises.
KWML is considering passenger association requests to lower the ₹40 fare on new routes, with the potential for significant savings through weekly or monthly passes. The Water Metro’s expansion efforts underline the complexities of infrastructure projects, balancing operational readiness with the logistical challenges of ferry procurement and terminal readiness.