A Water Metro ferry conducts trial run on the Marine Drive-Vypeen hall
| Photo Credit: H VIBHU
Close on the heels of the launch of 78 Water Metro ferries in the Greater Kochi space, Kochi Metro Rail Limited (KMRL) is keen to launch a handful of such vessels in Alappuzha and Kollam to cater for backwater vacationers.
A fleet in the making
The Cochin Shipyard has handed over 9 of the twenty-three 100-passenger electric-hybrid ferries to the metro company. The supply of the remaining is anticipated to recover from by the tip of the yr, in accordance to official sources. The order for 55 smaller 50-passenger ferries is anticipated to observe go well with. Just a few of them are seemingly to be operated with non-public participation.
Orders could be positioned for a number of extra boats to ferry backwater vacationers in Alappuzha and locales similar to Munroe Thuruth in Kollam which have great backwater tourism potential. This could be realised by investing roughly ₹50 crore, together with for terminals. The boats might be scaled up primarily based on response for air-conditioned vessels, mentioned official sources.
Competition between businesses
The metro company appears to have taken a cue from the recognition of vacationer boats which might be operated by the State Water Transport division (SWTD) in the 2 districts and at Kumarakom. The SWTD had on its half risen to potential competitors from Water Metro ferries in Kochi by changing its ageing metal ferries with fashionable catamaran ferries fabricated from fibre-reinforced plastic.
KMRL is quickly anticipated to determine land for a photo voltaic farm in the State, adhering to inexperienced mobility norms. The energy generated from the panels is anticipated to be offered to the Kerala State Electricity Board (KSEB) in return for energy to recharge batteries of Water Metro ferries, it’s learnt.
