Kochi Water Metro: CM Vijayan opens new terminals, attracts global attention |WATCH

Ernakulam: Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Saturday said the Kochi Water Metro has garnered international attention, with several countries expressing interest in replicating the state’s innovative water transport model.

Speaking after inaugurating two new Water Metro terminals at Mattancherry and Willingdon Island, built at a combined cost of ₹38 crore, Vijayan said that a number of Indian states have also approached Kerala to explore adopting the model.

He noted that since its launch in 2023, the Water Metro has carried nearly 5 million passengers, including both daily commuters and tourists.

The chief minister said the Water Metro marks a major milestone in strengthening Kochi’s core infrastructure and has become a source of pride for Malayalis worldwide. The initiative, he added, has connected several small inhabited islands around Kochi to the mainland and helped reduce traffic congestion within the city.

“It has transformed the face of the port city and, going forward, can significantly improve the quality of life of its residents,” Vijayan said.

He added that the Water Metro will not only support regional development but also provide a significant boost to the tourism sector.

Vijayan also expressed gratitude to the Archdiocese of Varapuzha for donating 22 cents of land for the construction of one of the terminals.

In a post on X later, the chief minister said the Kochi Water Metro was “charting new waters of success and redefining urban transport in Kerala.”

“The newly inaugurated Mattancherry and Willingdon Island terminals, built with heritage-sensitive design and eco-friendly features, mark another milestone in Kochi's sustainable mobility journey,” he wrote.

Vijayan said the Water Metro is among several sectors in which Kerala has emerged as a pioneer, citing the state’s achievements in health and education.

He added that the government continues to make consistent efforts to strengthen both basic infrastructure and social welfare systems, calling for collective efforts towards the state’s overall progress.

Following the inauguration, the chief minister travelled on the Water Metro from Mattancherry to Willingdon Island.

With the addition of the two new terminals, the total number of Water Metro stations has risen to 12, Kochi Water Metro Ltd said in a statement. Both terminals were constructed entirely over water to help preserve the area’s heritage and natural environment, while retaining existing trees and greenery, the statement added.

PTI inputs