Is a water metro coming to a city near you? In 2023, Kochi launched a first-of-its-kind metro system on water.
Not a ferry upgrade. Not a tourist boat. A full-fledged, schedule-driven, electric Water Metro.
- Is a water metro coming to a city near you? In 2023, Kochi launched a first-of-its-kind metro system on water. Not a ferry upgrade. Not a tourist boat. A full-fledged, schedule-driven, electric Water Metro.
India’s Inland Waterways Authority (IWAI) has asked Kochi’s team to study 17 locations across 12 states for similar systems, from Srinagar to Kollam, and Mumbai to Guwahati. These studies are in advanced stages in Mumbai and Goa.Mumbai is planning a 200-nautical-mile Water Metro-style network along its creeks and coast. Goa wants to move from river crossings to full-length routes connecting key population centers. (Below are the proposed routes in Goa and Mumbai)But, what's the difference between a water metro & a regular ferry? Think metro-style stations, digital ticketing, real-time fleet control and electric-hybrid boats that charge in minutes using LTO batteries.The cost is a fraction of regular rail metro. But, challenges remain, from boat building capacity to the complexities caused by different riverine and coastal systems. My @livemint Long Story is on how the Kochi Water metro is being used as a template in other parts of India, and
