The ₹747.28-crore project will have a route length of 78 km

The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change has granted clearance to the Kochi Water Metro project, giving the necessary approvals to environmental and CRZ norms.

A compliance report filed by Kochi Metro Rail Limited (KMRL) was verified by the Ministry before giving the go-ahead for construction activities for the Water Metro project.

According to KMRL managing director Alkesh Kumar Sharma, the Ministry’s clearance is a boost to the much awaited Water Metro project. All construction activities of KMRL will be carried out in accordance with norms in a sustainable manner.

The Kerala Coastal Zone Management Authority had earlier recommended the project in February 25, 2019.

In its order, the Ministry asked KMRL not to block creeks or rivers and to ensure the smooth flow of water in the project area. It also asked the authorities to implement a disaster management plan and issue safety guidelines.

The Water Metro project envisages introducing modern, energy efficient, fast, environment-friendly and safe boats with low wake and draft characteristics at a high frequency to increase ridership.

Vessels of the Water Metro will comply with emission norms as prescribed by the government from time to time. A detailed traffic management plan also should be in place, the Ministry said in its order.

The project with a sanctioned cost of ₹747.28 crore has a route length of 78 km. The total route length is divided into 15 routes with 38 stations. KMRL has already awarded tender for the construction of boats to Cochin Shipyard.

The first batch of twenty-three 100-seater ferries is expected to be delivered by June 2020. All boats will have aluminium hull and fibre reinforced plastic (FRP) body.

Another set of 50-seater air conditioned ferries will be of catamaran construction with aluminium hull and FRP cabin and will be hybrid-battery operated.