Water metro feasible here ?
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, March 01 2026: Can a water metro service be introduced in Manipur ? To many people, this question may sound strange and imaginative.

A look at Kochi Water Metro which has been successfully integrated into the public transport system of Kerala may give some ideas.

Under the tagline "Think Blue, Go Green", Kochi Water Metro was introduced in just two routes in 2023 .

Now Kochi Water Metro operates on 15 routes covering 76 Kms and 12 terminals.

It connects 10 islands located around the port city of Kochi (Cochin) with a fleet of 14 electric hybrid catamarans (e-boats) .

This environment-friendly and low emission transport system was launched as a joint venture of Kerala Government and Kochi Metro Rail Limited (KMRL) .

The joint venture not only enhances connectivity but also augments incomes of local people.

Like metro rail service, Kochi Water Metro is equipped with modern terminals, passenger friendly ticketing service (mobile app), emergency response team and necessary logistics.

PIB Imphal recently organised a media tour from Manipur to Kerala in collaboration with PIB Kochi and PIB Thiruvanan-thapu-ram.

This tour gave an opportunity to the media team from Manipur to observe Kochi Water Metro directly.

At its corporate office at Kochi, KMRL Managing Director Loknath Behra gave an audio-visual presentation about Kochi Water Metro to the visiting media persons from Manipur.

As Loknath asked about inland waterways in Manipur, the media persons from Manipur responded that inland waterways are non-existent in Manipur except Loktak Lake and some sections of Barak River.

"The Governments of Odisha, Maharashtra and Karnataka have sought our knowledge and expertise regarding the water metro.

The Central Government too approached us to see if a similar water transport system can be launched in some parts of Assam.

If the Government of Manipur too approaches us, we will respond positively", the KMRL Managing Director said.

He said that the electric hybrid aluminium catamarans were built at Cochin Shipyard Limited under the Make in India/Make in Kerala initiative.

He added that the propellers and batteries were imported from other countries.

Apart from the batteries which take just around 15 minutes to get fully charged, the boats are also equipped with diesel generators which emit very low sound and carbon, Loknath Behra said.

These boats which have spacious AC cabins are also equipped with the latest navigational equipment.

There are two variants, one with a capacity of 100 passengers and another with a capacity of 50 passengers.

These boats can also be hired for meeting/conference and entertainment, he added.

To a query, Loknath Behra said that the most crucial step for launching such a transport system is obtaining environment, forest and other necessary clearances.

To obtain the necessary clearances, one must go to the Central Government, he said.

"When we first started the process of launching the Kochi Water Metro, it turned out to be a learning experience and we learned a lot", Loknath Behra said.

He said that their scientists and researchers studied the initiative minutely before it was put into action.

A lot of problems were encountered in the process of purchasing boats for the project.

These boats were not available for purchase like vehicles, he said.

"The presence of a maritime university and other training facilities is an advantage for us", he said.

As for funds, one need not worry but it needs a political will.

Kochi Water Metro was initiated with funds for Germany-based KfW .

To another query, the KMRL Managing Director said that extra care should be taken apart from obtaining the requisite clearances if Loktak Lake is a Ramsar site.

He claimed that the Kochi Water Metro does not harm aquatic plants, fishes or animals.

The carbon emission is very low and the maximum speed of the boats is limited to 20 Kph .

"We have biomass (phumdi) here in Kerala too.

We have no other option than removing them on a regular basis", Loknath Behra said.

KMRL has estimated that out of the 20,275 Kms of National waterways across the country, 4503 Kms have potential for introducing water metro, he said.

Although some motorboats have been introduced, traditional (manual) boats remain the principal mode of transport across the vast Loktak Lake in Manipur.

These motor boats are powered by diesel generators and as such, they are quite noisy and their carbon emission rate is high.

Even if the Kochi Water Metro cannot be replicated exactly, the authorities and all stakeholders need to consider the possibility of introducing electric hybrid boats which are more environment-friendly in the Loktak Lake.

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