New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi will dedicate the country’s first water metro on Tuesday during his two-day visit to Kerala. This is a first of its kind project to connect 10 islands around Kochi through battery operated electric hybrid boats for seamless connectivity with Kochi city. Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Saturday termed the Kochi Water Metro as a “dream project” of the state which will accelerate the growth and development of Kochi.
world class #kochiwatermetro Setting sail! It is the dream project of Kerala to connect Kochi and its 10 surrounding islands. 78 electric boats and 38 terminals with KWM costing ₹1,136.83 crore, funded by KW and KfW. Exciting times are ahead for our transport and tourism sectors! pic.twitter.com/IrSD8hqh9l— Pinarayi Vijayan (@pinarayivijayan) April 22, 2023
The Water Metro is a unique urban mass transit system with a feel and ease of travel similar to a traditional metro system. This is very useful in cities like Kochi. According to officials, the Modi government has made a conscious choice to avoid a one-size-fits-all approach to providing infrastructure and connectivity.
Kochi Water Metro
The major project has been set up at a cost of Rs 1,136.83. The Kpchi Water Metro will operate with 78 electric boats and 38 terminals at a cost of Rs 1,136.83 crore, funded by the Kerala government and KfW, a German funding agency. As the first phase of the project, the service will start soon from High Court-Vypin Terminals to Vyttila-Kakkanad Terminals.
Cost-effective and safe travel in air-conditioned boats will help people reach their destinations without getting stuck in traffic jams. Passengers can travel on both Kochi Metro and Water Metro using the ‘Kochi 1’ card. They can also book tickets digitally.
Modi’s massive road show in Kerala
Bringing the BJP into election mode in Kerala ahead of the 2024 general elections, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday made a major foray into the state by holding a roadshow, addressing a youth convention and meeting heads of churches. He also targeted the two main parties of the state – the ruling CPI(M) and the opposition Congress – on different issues.
Modi was accorded a rousing welcome when he arrived here on a two-day visit and was greeted by thousands of people, including BJP workers and supporters, queuing up on both sides of the nearly two-kilometre-long route of his roadshow from the INS Garuda naval air base. station to the youth venue. Modi reached the Naval Air Station after 5 pm and started his roadshow from there around 5.40 pm.
Dressed in Kerala’s traditional attire – kasavu mundu, a shawl and a kurta – Modi began the roadshow on foot, waving to people on both sides of the road and buildings above the route, where security was tight. Hundreds of policemen have been deployed for security.
People of all age groups from different parts of the state had lined up on both sides of the road hours in advance to welcome Modi. They showered flowers on him all the way.
Incredible affection in Kochi. have a look… pic.twitter.com/FEFcMWHTwdNarendra Modi (@narendramodi) April 24, 2023
Initially, Modi walked in security vehicles surrounded by SPG personnel. He later got on an SUV and stood on its footboard to greet people.
Enthusiastic BJP workers and supporters lined up on both sides of the road carrying party flags, wearing party caps or caps and holding placards with Modi’s pictures and cheering him with slogans of ‘Modi-Modi’ and beating of drums.
Later, addressing a youth convention—Yuvam 2023—, Modi launched a scathing attack on the ruling CPI(M) and the opposition Congress, alleging that Kerala was being harmed because of the conflict between the two, and expressed confidence that the BJP Will be accepted by the people of the state in the coming days. Modi said the way the northeastern states and Goa – which have a sizeable Christian population – accepted the BJP, its work and its government, Kerala would also accept the saffron party in the days to come.