NB Explains | India gets its first water metro today! All you need to know about Kerala KWM

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who will be on a visit to Kerala, launched India's first water metro in Kerala's Kochi district, which will boost the state's tourism. The Kochi Water Metro will bring a major revolution in the water transport sector in the state.

The Kochi Water Metro services will start on April 26, from 7:00 am to 8:00 pm.

Kochi Water Metro: Why a water metro?

Kochi is one of the most densely populated districts in Kerala and inland water transport was once the primary means of freight and passenger transport on the Vembanadu Lake. This system has been declining over the last few decades. Also, water transport is inherently more energy efficient than either rail or road transport.

With this project, the aim would be on reducing pollution and traffic congestion in the city with easy access to business areas on the mainland for urban households located along the Kochi lakeshore.

Kochi Water Metro: Major details

1. The entire metro project is manufactured by Cochin Shipyard Limited.

2.This dream project is funded by the Government of Kerala and German firm KfW.The project will start with eight hybrid boats. The KWM will run from Lithium Titanite Spinel batteries. The entire Kochi Water Metro (KWM) project comprises 78 electric boats and 38 terminals.

3. Kochi Water Metro will connect 10 islands in and around the port city.The water metro is touted to be eco-friendly, electrically propelled, and safe for differently-abled people too.

4. Overall cost of the KWM project is Rs. 1,137 crore.

5.In the first phase, the KWM service will begin from the High Court-Vypin terminals and Vyttila-Kakkanad terminals. According to Kerala Chief Minister, commuters will be able to reach Vypin Terminal from High Court Terminal in less than 20 minutes without getting stuck in traffic. Kakkanad can be reached within 25 minutes from Vyttila via Water Metro.