Kochi Water Metro is set for another expansion, with plans to add 15 more electric boats to its fleet. Tenders have been invited for the new vessels as authorities look to meet the steady rise in commuter demand.
Officials with Kochi Metro Rail Limited (KMRL) say the move is aimed at improving frequency and easing rush-hour pressure on busy routes. Each boat will have a capacity of around 100 passengers.
Since its launch, the Water Metro has steadily grown into a key link between the islands and the mainland. For many commuters, it has already become part of their daily routine, especially on routes where road travel once took much longer.
With the new boats expected to arrive in phases, officials say services will gradually become more frequent across the network.
Kochi Metro continues to record a steady rise in passenger numbers, reflecting its growing presence in the city’s daily commute.
In 2025, the metro carried 36.41 million passengers, up from 34.92 million in 2024. While the increase is modest, officials point to the consistency in growth as the more significant trend.
The momentum has carried into 2026 as well. From January to April, the metro recorded over 11.68 million passengers. Monthly figures have remained stable, ranging between 2.69 million and 3.27 million.
According to KMRL officials, improved last-mile connectivity has played a key role in this growth. The Water Metro and feeder electric buses, they say, have helped more people depend on the metro for daily travel.
Festival seasons also gave a push to the numbers. Since operations began in 2017, Kochi Metro has now crossed 175 million passenger journeys, underlining its steady place in Kerala’s urban transport system.
