Demand rife for extension of Water Metro ferries to Infopark Phase-2, Smart City

With IT professionals and others seeking steps to extend Water Metro services to Infopark Phase-2 and the proposed Smart City, demand is rife to raise the height of the Brahmapuram bridge and to dismantle a temporary bund en route, so that the ferries that now terminate their trips at the Chittetukara terminal in Kakkanad can transport passengers all the way up to the prominent IT hub.

It is estimated that Infopark employs around 70,000 people. Most of them are caught in traffic snarls on Civil Line Road, Seaport Airport Road, and other stretches leading to the IT hub, while those who rely on ferries alight at the Chittetukara terminal and switch to autos and buses to reach the IT hub, collectorate, and other destinations.

“The ferries would be able to operate all the way up to Infopark Phase-2, if steps are taken to relocate the Kozhichira bund located nearby towards Manakkakadavu on the Kadambrayar. This apart, a taller bridge ought to be built in place of the Brahmapuram bridge to extend Water Metro services,” said Sajan P. John, chief operating officer, Kochi Water Metro Limited (KWML).

Jidheesh Rajan, a representative of Prathidhwani Kochi, a welfare organisation of IT employees, sought speedy measures to extend the air-conditioned hybrid electric ferries to Infopark Phase-2 and also to Smart City. “The organisation has been consistently demanding this since it is not merely a transportation project but an urgent requirement, considering the growing traffic and mobility challenges in the region. The 70,000-odd IT professionals and others deserve an efficient and sustainable water transport option since road connectivity to Infopark is inadequate, causing frequent traffic hold-ups. Residents of the region too are affected by this. Steps must also be taken to raise the height of the Brahmapuram bridge and to clear the temporary bund, both of which are obstructing the extension of Water Metro services,” he said.

Rather than dismantle the bridge and build a taller one, an easier alternative would be to construct a Water Metro terminal just before the bridge, said M.S. Anilkumar, chairman of the development standing committee of Thrikkakara municipality.