Kochi Water Metro project in India is a blend of tradition and innovation as a public water transport system, aiming to expand to 24 cities, including in the North-East region.
The project is expected to bring economic benefits to cities by enhancing connectivity for riverine and low-income communities, while aligning with the government's goal of sustainable urban transportation.
Managed by Kochi Metro Rail Ltd, the water metro service has been successful in Kochi, ferrying over four million passengers, with plans for major expansion and interest from the World Bank.
Feasibility studies for launching water metro systems in other urban centers across India are ongoing, focusing on sustainability in public transport and overcoming challenges related to different water bodies and technologies.