Kochi Water Metro Limited (KWML) is preparing to extend its ferry services to Thoppumpady and Edakochi, targeting operational readiness by 2027 as part of a steady expansion of urban water transport in the city. The move follows strong passenger demand on routes linking the mainland to Fort Kochi and Mattancherry, officials said.
Kochi Water Metro expansion and planned routes
KWML has initiated preparatory work to float tenders for construction of terminals at Thoppumpady and Edakochi. Sajan John, Chief Operating Officer of KWML, said terminal construction would take about a year once contracts are awarded, placing the likely start of services in 2027 given current timelines.
Officials expect ferries to run on a route connecting the High Court with Mattancherry, Thoppumpady and Edakochi and back. A second service is planned along an inner channel, linking the High Court with Thevara and Kumbalam.
The proposed Thevara terminal remains uncertain after the Kerala State Road Transport Corporation reportedly sought higher compensation for land it holds in the area. The state government is yet to take a decision, and the outcome will determine whether Thevara features in the initial rollout or is deferred.
In the nearer term, KWML will extend operations from the High Court terminal to Kadamakkudy, with services expected to begin in February or March. To facilitate this, a floating pontoon will be installed at the tourist spot this month to berth the ferries.
The expansion will proceed in tandem with the delivery schedule of ferries from Cochin Shipyard. KWML placed an order for 25 vessels and is awaiting the final lot of five ferries. Once these units are handed over, service frequency and new route launches can be scaled up.
City residents and visitors have embraced the Water Metro since its introduction, drawn by shorter commute times and the appeal of waterside travel. The planned extensions aim to relieve pressure on road traffic, improve inter-island connectivity and support tourism in coastal neighbourhoods.
KWML’s phased approach reflects practical constraints around land acquisition, construction and vessel delivery. By awarding tenders for terminals now, the authority seeks to align infrastructure completion with ferry availability to ensure a smooth commissioning process.
Stakeholders, including municipal authorities and transport agencies, will need to coordinate on parking, feeder services and last-mile connectivity to make the expanded network fully effective. If the Thevara land issue is resolved quickly, that location could become a key interchange on the inner-channel route.
For commuters, the extension promises additional route options and the prospect of reduced travel time between mainland hubs and historic islands. For the wider city, the project forms part of a broader push to diversify urban transport modes and make use of Kochi’s waterways as viable public-transport corridors.
KWML said it will provide further details on tender schedules and operational timetables as the procurement and delivery processes progress.
Key Takeaways:
- Kochi Water Metro expansion aims to add Thoppumpady and Edakochi terminals by 2027, pending tender awards.
- Planned routes include High Court–Mattancherry–Thoppumpady–Edakochi and an inner channel via Thevara to Kumbalam.
- Thevara terminal faces delay over KSRTC land compensation; Kadamakkudy service to start in February–March with a floating pontoon.
- Cochin Shipyard will deliver the final ferries from a 25-vessel order, enabling the staged roll-out of new services.
