Kochi Water Metro Expands: Mattancherry and Willingdon Island Terminals Inaugurated at ₹38 Crore

Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Saturday inaugurated the newly constructed Water Metro terminals at Mattancherry and Willingdon Island, marking a significant milestone in Kochi’s ambitious urban mobility project. Built at a combined cost of ₹38 crore, these terminals aim to strengthen connectivity, promote heritage conservation, and boost tourism in the city’s historic waterfront areas.

The new route links the High Court terminal with Mattancherry via Willingdon Island, operating daily from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. The Mattancherry terminal, located near the heritage-listed Dutch Palace, has been designed to reflect the cultural and architectural essence of the region. Similarly, the Willingdon Island terminal, adjacent to the old ferry jetty, mirrors Kochi’s maritime history. Both terminals are constructed entirely on water, integrating modern infrastructure with heritage preservation, and existing greenery and trees were carefully retained to minimize ecological impact.

The inauguration of these terminals is expected to significantly enhance connectivity between Fort Kochi, Mattancherry, and other key areas, facilitating smoother transport for city residents, island dwellers, and tourists alike. Kerala CM Pinarayi Vijayan emphasized that the terminals would bring notable development to West Kochi, improve accessibility, and stimulate local commerce and tourism.

Tender processes for new terminals at Edakochi and Thoppumpady have already begun, while terminal construction at Kadamakkudy is in its final stages. Once completed, the expanded Water Metro network will connect Ernakulam, Thoppumpady, Mattancherry, Kumbalam, and Edakochi, forming a comprehensive water transport circuit.

Sajan P John, Chief Operating Officer of Kochi Water Metro Ltd, clarified that services on the Mattancherry route will operate independently from Vypeen services to ensure timely operations. Rajkumar Gupta, President of the Indian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ICCI), highlighted that the new services would boost heritage tourism and trade in Mattancherry, helping the historic town regain its lost glory.

With ongoing construction at Mulavukad North, Kumbalam, Kadamakkudy, and Paliyamthuruth, the Kochi Water Metro is steadily moving towards a fully connected and efficient urban water transport network.