Page 90 - HUDCO Award for Best Practices - 2024

THEME: URBAN TRANSPORT

f) Integrated Transport system and common mobility cards for Interoperable tickets for Water Metro and Rail Metro.

OTHER DISTINGUISHED ACHIEVEMENTS include the following:
• Water Metro Ferry has already achieved “1st place as part of GUSTAVE TROUVE AWARD-2022 (FRANCE) in electric
passenger boat category”.

• The Economic Times-energy leadership awards 2023 for “excellence in EV Infrastructure”.

• Shiptek international awards 2023 for “Most Innovative and Sustainable project”.

• Global Maritime Summit awards for “Efficient operation of a fleet of modern ferries” and “A well-knit terminal network along
inland waterways”.

• MoHUA recognition for Water metro project during 16 Urban Mobility India Conference and Expo-2023 in the Category of
th
“City with the Best Green Transport Initiative”.

• Urban Infra Awards 2023 for the “Most Innovative Water Transit System of the Year”.

SUSTAINABILITY

Kochi Water Metro is an ambitious and environment friendly, sustainable integrated water transport system revolutionizing urban
connectivity in the picturesque city of Kochi. This visionary project aims to connect the island communities to the mainland,
fostering socioeconomic growth, improving livelihoods, and enhancing tourism prospects by fostering island culture and practices.
The transformative potential of the Kochi Water Metro Project cannot be overstated. By bridging the gap between the islands and the
mainland, the project is expected to uplift the island dwellers through improved job opportunities, trade facilitation, and enhanced
accessibility. This integrated water transport system offers seamless intermodal connectivity, linking water metro terminals, bus
terminals, and metro rail networks, providing commuters with a comprehensive and integrated public transportation experience.

One of the main highlights of the project would be the establishment of biggest network of electric superchargers in marine crafts
and this would go on to become the largest battery electric boat network in the world with a central command and control centre.
Nevertheless, Water transport still remains as one of the cheapest modes of transport as it doesn’t require huge infrastructure
development like roads, bridges, etc. There is hardly any congestion in the waters and with no detour required in most scenarios,
travel times and expenses can be quite cost-effective. Kochi, with abundant water scape, only promotes this idea further.

This innovative initiative harmoniously merges state-of-the-art technology, environmental responsibility, and community-centered
design. Poised to drastically reduce carbon emissions, the project represents a transformative step towards a greener, more inclusive
future. The water transport system envisaged for Kochi focuses not only on the ferry services as the mode for public transportation
but also envisions a holistic development of the areas being connected by waterways as well as integrating the waterway system as a
part of the entire public transport system of the city. Apart from the ferry service development, the project also looks into developing
the existing and new roads providing increased and better access to the jetties and also within the islands, ensuring safety and
security to all its users by way of active and well-lit streets, promoting use of small occupancy feeder modes to access the jetties,
promoting property development around the jetties and place making. Effective use of inland waterways with the environmentally
friendly electric boats is offering multi-fold benefits.
TRANSFERABILITY

Landscapes with rivers, canals, backwaters or any other navigable waterways can adopt the concept of water metro for enhanced
passenger commuting and to de-congest roads, thereby reducing carbon footprint and ensuring net zero emissions. Kerala has
a waterway of approx. 900 km length including lakes, rivers, etc. wherein the expansion of the scope of this project is possible.
About 40 cities in India like Varanasi, Srinagar, Ayodhya, Alleppey, Mumbai, Kolkata, Goa, etc. can adopt the idea of water metro
for a sustainable transport approach. Promotion of waterway tourism and reduction in travel time are added advantages of this
initiative. It is understood that similar systems are under consideration/implementation at Ayodhya, Varanasi and Assam. Spanning
an impressive 76 kilometres, the Kochi Water Metro project connecting 10 islands through a network of 38 water metro terminals
and 78 boats (of mostly 100 pax capacity) featuring cutting-edge design and technology, will establish itself as one of the most unique
projects implemented with a Centralized operation control and command centre.

74 75