Union Minister Manohar Lal Khattar described the Kochi Water Metro journey as similar to air travel, highlighting its popularity with 3.5 million passengers, and emphasized the potential for expanding the service to more areas, while also enjoying the scenic backwater views during his visit.
Kochi: The journey on Kochi’s Water Metro is like flying, according to Union Minister for Power, Housing, and Urban Affairs, Manohar Lal Khattar. He referred to it not as a water metro, but a water plane. The minister highlighted that 3.5 million people have already traveled on the Water Metro, adding that the metro will play a significant role in urban transport. He also mentioned that the possibility of expanding the Water Metro to more areas is being explored.
After arriving at Kochi airport from Lakshadweep, Khattar traveled by road to the Water Metro’s High Court jetty, where his journey began. He enjoyed the scenic views of the backwaters up to Vaippin and spent around an hour aboard the boat.
Accompanying the minister were Private Secretary Vijay Datt, Joint Secretary of the Ministry of Power Shashank Mishra, Joint Secretary of the Ministry of Urban Development Ravi Arora, and senior officials Deepak Sharma and Ram Lal. Loknath Bahra, Managing Director of Kochi Metro Rail Limited, briefed the minister on the features of the Water Metro. Kochi Metro Director Systems Sanjay Kumar, Water Metro Chief General Manager Shaji Janardhanan, and General Manager Sajan P. John also explained the operations of the Water Metro so far. The minister was presented with souvenirs from Kochi Metro.
