Kochi Water Metro project still stalled after several deadlines

The Kochi Water Metro project continues to delay without clear reasons even though the project was commissioned by 2020.

The authorities have revised the deadline several times and are now scheduled to be operational by June-July.

CM Pinarayi Vijayan inaugurated the first route and terminal of the metro in February 2021. However, the boat service is yet to begin on the Vyttila-Kakkanad.

According to an official, the unavailability of boats is the major reason for the delay. The service will begin after getting at least five boats.

The official said that the Cochin Shipyard Limited (CSL) had already been in talks to hand over the boats and provide four more boats by June to begin services in some sectors.

An official said that CSL boats are hybrid and run on electricity and diesel with complex technology.

Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, all the components of boats were unable to be imported to several parts, which caused delays.

The metro authorities are yet to complete terminal works. According to an official, work on the terminal at High Court (HC) junction, Bolgatty, Vypeen, Cheranelloor, Eroor and Kochi Fort will be completed by June and begin services, connecting these terminals after CSL delivers the vessels.

Apart from completing civil work for the project, the authorities will have to recruit employees to begin the services, train them and procure other facilities for operating the project.

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Also read: Land acquisition for Kochi Water Metro to be completed by December 31