Kochi, India's first water metro, plans to promote sustainability by integrating hydrogen fuel cell technology and a green hydrogen vessel in the near future.
Loknath Behera, managing director of Kochi Water Metro, warned that the current electric boat fleet will be obsolete within the next five to ten years due to new technologies. The company is contemplating the adoption of hydrogen-fuel-cell vessels produced by Cochin Shipyard Ltd (CSL) and evaluating their viability for wider use. However, cost-effective adjustments will be required for execution.
Behera further stated that the Fort Kochi to High Court section would be the next in line following the start of operations on the South Chittoor, Eloor, and Cheranalloor lines. The trial run for parking boats near the floating pontoon at Fort Kochi port is complete, and the boats will shortly be tested on the path from High Court to Fort Kochi. The metro service is slated to begin operations in April, with a focus on visitors while schools are closed for holiday.
Kochi became India's first city to have a water metro with the launch of its first boat, 'Muziris', one of 23 battery-powered electric boats being produced by Cochin Shipyard Limited in December 2021. The Kochi Water Metro transport system is built on sustainability, with over 75 E-boats connecting the city.
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Technology is a useful servant, but a dangerous master, it was rightly said. Electronic devices have grown into an inevitable part of our daily lives.
