India has seen a promising 2018 when it comes to technological innovations in the field of travel. While India’s first engine-less train T-18 saw a successful trial run, the Delhi Metro continued its expansion successfully. 2019, just in its first few hours have given much to cheer the travelers already.
The country’s first water metro rail project is set to go operational by December 2019. According to the project, 10 island near Kochi(Kerala) will become a part of an integrated water-transport. The ferries will accommodate upto 100 passengers, 38 jetties will also be involved.
In the first phase, 23 ferries are said to come with aluminium hull and a steel body and will be spread over 16 routes, connected across 10 islands, spanning a network of more than 70 km. Ferries are supposed to be air-conditioned and fuel efficient.
A special card will be introduced to encourage visitors to use the services of Water Metro. Narrow roads leading to the terminals will also be widened.
Mohammed Hanish, managing editor of KMRL informed that the project will go live in December 2019.
In 2016, Kochi Metro Rail Corporation signed a pact with the German Development Bank for a loan of 85 million Euros. Overall cost of the project is estimated to be around Rs 747 crores. 100-seater ferry will cost Rs 4.5 crore, whereas the 50-seaters are priced at Rs 2.6 crore.
Kochi is now the first city in India to have water transport integrated as feeder to the metro. By 2021 the ferries would be operated on solar power by 2021.
India’s first engine-less train damaged, vandals shatter window pane
