KOCHI: Kochi Water Metro mainly concentrates on driving its exploration of hydrogen fuel-cell technology and sustainability. And, soon it hopes to add a vessel running on green hydrogen. Loknath Behera, Kochi Water Metro Ltd managing director said it is important to stay ahead of the game in terms of technological advancement to ensure sustainability. Within the next five to ten years our existing electric boat fleet will become redundant, and new technology will be introduced. We are now exploring the possibility of introducing a hydrogen-fuel-cell vessel, which was developed by Cochin Shipyard Ltd (CSL). Large-scale adoption will be inspected for our future boats. However, some adjustments will be needed to make them cost-effective, he said.
Presently, green hydrogen is very s expensive. But this will not continue in the future, he added. After the recent commencement of operations on the South Chittoor, Eloor, and Cheranalloor routes, Behera said the Fort Kochi-High Court stretch is next in line. The trial mainly runs on parking boats near the floating pontoon at Fort Kochi terminal has been completed and the boats will be examined on the route between High Courtand Fort Kochi in the next few days, says Behera.
In April, we are hoping to start services on the route, with a focus on tourists. He also said that, once service begins, they want to operate three boats on the route, and that one more boat is expected to be sent soon by the CSL. Due to the school being closed for vacation, The High Court-Fort Kochi service will attract more tourists. Interior work on the Fort Kochi terminal is in the last stages and efforts are on to complete it at the earliest. The construction of terminals at Paliyamthuruth, Kumbalam, Willingdon Island, Eroor, and Mattanchery is also progressing, says an official. Currently, Kochi Water Metro operates services on the High Court-Vypeen, High Court-Bolgatty, High Court-South Chittoor, South Chittoor-Cheranalloor, Cheranalloor-Eloor, and Vyttila-Kakkanad routes.
