Latest news with #LoknathBehera
NDTV
29-05-2025
- Business
- NDTV
Water Metro In Mumbai, Other Places Soon? What Head Of Kochi Project Said
New Delhi: The Water Metro in Kochi has been successful and the Centre is now planning to start the ferry transportation system in 21 other places, the project's Managing Director Loknath Behera has said. Speaking exclusively to NDTV on Thursday, Mr Behera said the places where the system is likely to be introduced include Goa, Ahmedabad, Srinagar, Lakshadweep and Guwahati, and a feasibility study in Mumbai has already been completed. Mr Behera, who is the Managing Director of Kochi Water Metro, said the system is cheaper and more sustainable than other means of transportation. "It also causes very little pollution and is much cheaper than Metro rail projects. Kochi Metro has 20 electric boats as of now, and our target is to increase the fleet to 78. Building the boats takes some time and they are being manufactured by the Cochin Shipyard," he said. "The Union Shipping ministry wants to start Water Metro projects, on the lines of the Metro Railway, at 21 places in the country. We have completed the feasibility study in Mumbai and similar studies are being undertaken in the other places, including Goa, Ahmedabad and Guwahati," he added. The Kochi Water Metro began operations in April 2023 and has ferried over 40 lakh people in two years. "Our boats are always full. People are enjoying using them... Launching the service in other places will have its challenges, but that is what the feasibility study is for. The state governments will also have to be involved. You may see Kochi-like Water Metro services in other places in three to four years," he said.
The Hindu
12-05-2025
- Business
- The Hindu
KMRL plans to introduce boat services in Edappally, Chilavannoor canals
With the State government recently granting administrative approval for the ₹3,716-crore Integrated Urban Regeneration and Water Transport System (IURWTS) project — aimed at widening, dredging, and making six canals in Kochi navigable — Kochi Metro Rail Limited (KMRL), which will implement the project, has announced plans to introduce boat services in Edappally and Chilavannoor canals. Boat services have been planned at 30-minute intervals along a newly navigable 11.5-km stretch from Muttar to Chitrapuzha via the Edappally canal. A fleet of 10 new boats, each with a vertical clearance of 3.5 metres, will be introduced for the purpose, according to the metro agency. Metro-Water Metro connectivity 'In addition, Water Metro ferries operating on the Vyttila–Thevara route will use the revitalised Chilavannoor canal to provide access to Elamkulam metro station, enhancing integration between multiple modes of transport. Aimed at promoting tourism and recreation, a Marine Drive-model waterfront is being planned along the canal featuring landscaped walkways and water sports facilities. The area is expected to become a new recreational hub, promoting wellness among the public,' said Loknath Behera, managing director, KMRL. 'The IURWTS will rejuvenate canals with water transport, walkways, and water sports activities, ease monsoon flooding, and help address persistent waste management issues in Kochi,' added Mr. Behera. Under the project, six major canals — Perandoor, Chilavannoor, Edappally, Thevara, Konthuruthy, and Market canal — will be deepened, widened, and beautified. The rejuvenated canals will have a minimum width of 16.5 metres, while walkways and green spaces will be developed along their banks, according to the agency. A new 90-metre-long bridge on Bund Road and the reconstruction of a bridge on Subash Chandra Bose Road near the Chilavannoor canal will streamline water flow and help reduce flooding during the monsoon, said metro sources. 'Alongside this, four sewage treatment plants have been mulled at Elamkulam, Vennala, Perandoor, and Muttar. The ₹1,325-crore project is being executed by KMRL in collaboration with the Kerala Water Authority. This integrated approach will enhance mobility, reduce flooding, and help reinvent Kochi's identity as a water-centric urban haven, they added.
New Indian Express
12-05-2025
- Business
- New Indian Express
Kochi Metro to transform canals with new boats, tourism initiatives
KOCHI: In a groundbreaking move that integrates urban regeneration, transportation and tourism, Kochi Metro Rail Limited (KMRL) plans to transform the city's canals into vibrant corridors of connectivity and recreation. With the state government's administrative approval for the Rs 3,716.10-crore Integrated Urban Regeneration and Water Transport System (IURWTS), Kochi is poised for a historic leap in urban development. 'I'm delighted that the state government has approved this transformative initiative. The project will not only alleviate monsoon flooding and address the persistent waste management issues in Kochi but also rejuvenate our historic canals with water transport, walkways, and water sports facilities,' said Loknath Behera, Managing Director of KMRL. The initiative involves the deepening, widening, and beautification of six major canals — Perandoor, Chilavannur, Edappally, Thevara, Konthuruthy, and Market Canal. All canals will be upgraded to a minimum width of 16.5 metre. Aesthetic walkways and green spaces will be developed on both banks, turning these stretches into scenic urban assets.
Hindustan Times
11-05-2025
- Business
- Hindustan Times
Kochi Metro unveils ambitious canal revamp to boost transport, tourism
Kochi, In a bold new plan combining city renewal, transport and tourism, Kochi Metro Rail Limited is preparing to transform the city's old canals into vibrant routes for travel and relaxation. With the Kerala state government approving the ₹3,716.10 crore Integrated Urban Regeneration and Water Transport System , Kochi is ready for a big change in transportation and tourism, a KMRL release said on Sunday. "I am delighted that the state government has cleared this transformative initiative," said Loknath Behera, Managing Director, KMRL. "This project will not only ease monsoon flooding and address Kochi's persistent waste management issues but will also rejuvenate our historic canals with water transport, walkways, and water sports facilities," Behera added. The project includes deepening, widening and beautifying six major canals in Kochi—Perandoor, Chilavannur, Edappally, Thevara, Konthuruthy, and Market Canal. Each canal will be widened to at least 16.5 metres. Green spaces and attractive walkways will be developed on both sides, turning these areas into vibrant urban zones. KMRL will also introduce boat services along the Edappally and Chilavannur canals, the release said. A new 11.5-kilometre waterway stretch from Muttar to Chitrapuzha via the Edappally Canal will have boats operating every 30 minutes. A fleet of 10 new boats, each with a height clearance of 3.5 metres, will ensure smooth passage under bridges. The plan also aims to improve intermodal connectivity. The Vyttila–Thevara Water Metro route will be linked to the Elamkulam Metro Station via the upgraded Chilavannur Canal, enabling seamless urban mobility. A new waterfront, similar to Marine Drive, is being planned along the Chilavannur Canal, the release stated. It will feature landscaped paths and water sports facilities, offering residents a fresh destination for relaxation and recreation. "This area will soon become a new recreational hub, promoting wellness and lifestyle among residents," Behera said. To improve water flow and reduce flooding during heavy rains, a new 90-metre bridge will be constructed on Bund Road, and another bridge on Subash Chandra Bose Road will be rebuilt. The Kerala Water Authority is also setting up four sewage treatment plants—at Elamkulam, Vennala, Perandoor, and Muttar—at ₹1,325 crore. These works are being carried out in coordination with KMRL to ensure the project progresses smoothly, the release added.
The Hindu
24-04-2025
- Business
- The Hindu
Kochi Water Metro sails into third year with patronage of 4 million commuters
The fleet of 19 air conditioned hybrid-electric Water Metro ferries that are operating in Kochi transported a total of 4 million commuters across 10 terminals in the Greater Kochi area, during the past two years. They were from among the twenty-three 100-passenger ferries for which Kochi Metro Rail Ltd (KMRL) had placed an order with Cochin Shipyard. This first-of-its-kind water transport system in India that aims to introduce 78 ferries in the Greater Kochi area in a phased manner is being implemented by the Kerala government. It was officially launched on April 25, 2023. As it steps into its third year, the Water Metro is set to expand its operations both within Kerala and across India. The project had won the Gussies Electric Boat Award-2022 in the commercial ferry category and the Skoch Award for excellence in offering services to the public in the transport sector. The Union government had plans to probe the feasibility of replicating the model in 21 locations across the country, said a KMRL release. The agency's MD, Loknath Behera, hoped that the system of water transport would bring in sustainability and affordability in public transport and help decongest roads. A feasibility study to implement the Water Metro project in Mumbai has been submitted to the Maharashtra government by KMRL. The agency was also asked to conduct feasibility studies to implement the Water Metro system in 21 urban centers across 11 States and two Union Territories, it said.
