The Kochi Water Metro is gearing up for a major expansion phase as it prepares to extend services beyond the city core, including a proposed water transport link to Cochin International Airport at Nedumbassery. The move is aimed at strengthening connectivity, easing congestion on high-demand routes, and supporting the system’s growing commuter and tourism traffic.
Currently operating a fleet of 20 boats, the water-based public transport system is set to nearly quadruple its capacity in a phased manner. Three additional vessels are already under construction at Cochin Shipyard, while plans are underway to reissue tenders for 15 more boats after an earlier procurement attempt was stalled due to cost concerns.
To achieve its planned fleet strength of 78 vessels, the Kochi Water Metro is also evaluating alternative funding mechanisms. For the remaining boats, the project is exploring public-private partnership models to accelerate fleet augmentation and optimise capital deployment.
Fleet expansion forms a core component of the Water Metro’s broader growth strategy, which includes extending services to peripheral regions and introducing leisure and tourism-focused routes to enhance revenue generation. New services to areas such as Kadamakkudy and Paliamthuruth are expected to commence this summer, while the additional vessels are also anticipated to ease pressure on heavily used corridors, including the High Court–Fort Kochi stretch.
The need for enhanced capacity became particularly evident during the recent holiday season, when a sharp rise in passenger numbers placed significant strain on operations, especially on routes serving Fort Kochi during the New Year period.
As part of preparations for the proposed airport connection, a hydrological study of the Aluva–Nedumbassery route via the Periyar river is scheduled to begin shortly. The study will evaluate canal development requirements and assess potential impacts on water flow and surrounding areas. It is expected to be completed within three weeks, after which a feasibility assessment and detailed project report will be prepared.
The proposed airport water metro service is expected to cover a distance of approximately eight kilometres and will deploy faster vessels to ensure competitive travel times. Officials indicated that the airport link will be prioritised, with further route extensions planned based on passenger demand and operational viability.
