Kerala will return to the Republic Day Parade at New Delhi’s Kartavya Path this January 26, presenting a tableau that places the Kochi water metro at centre stage. After missing the 2025 parade and several previous editions, the state aims to showcase a blend of innovation, sustainability, and self-reliance to a national audience.

Kochi water metro: India’s first electric water transport network

The tableau celebrates the Kochi water metro, India’s first integrated, electric-powered water-based public transport system. Unlike traditional ferries, it is fully electric, barrier-free, and linked seamlessly with metro rail and feeder services, offering a low-emission solution for urban mobility in coastal cities.

Kochi water metro has transformed daily travel for the city’s island communities, earning global attention as a model for future-ready water transport. Kerala has aligned its presentation with the theme ‘Atmanirbhar Kerala for Atmanirbhar Bharat’, highlighting indigenous technology and homegrown operations.

Alongside the water metro, the tableau will also highlight Kerala’s achievement of 100% digital literacy, reflecting the state’s commitment to inclusive development. Conceptualised by the State Information and Public Relations Department, the display is being designed by Roy Joseph for J S Chauhan and Associates.

The Union Defence Ministry cleared the tableau after a multi-stage evaluation, underscoring the parade’s emphasis on originality, creativity, thematic relevance, and aesthetic appeal.

A history of selective participation

Kerala has previously faced alleged exclusion from Kartavya Path. The state did not feature in 2019, 2020, 2022, 2024, or 2025 editions of the parade. Several opposition-ruled states, which have been consistently ‘excluded’ from the parade, have criticised what they perceive as bias by the BJP-led Centre in the selection process. The Ministry of Defence maintains, however, that the evaluation is robust, transparent, and merit-based, with proposals assessed by an expert committee of art, culture, painting, and architecture professionals.

In its last appearance in 2023, Kerala presented the tableau ‘Naree Shakti and Folk Traditions of Women Empowerment’, featuring Kalaripayattu, tribal percussion, and women’s literacy achievements. Icons like Karthyayani Amma, who topped literacy exams at 96, and Nanchiyamma, the first tribal woman national award-winning playback singer, highlighted Kerala’s social progress and rich traditions.

With the Kochi water metro tableau, Kerala now returns to Kartavya Path with a message of innovation, sustainability, and self-reliance, positioning itself at the forefront of India’s Republic Day celebrations.