Prime Minister Narendra Modi is inaugurating Kochi's water metro today, which has been talked about for a decade. It is a modern water travel system that connects Cochin with ten islands. It is a safe and highly reliable transportation system that can make travel easier for islanders as an alternative to the busy and time-consuming road travel. The geniuses behind the water metro intended to make it a part of Kochi, which was lucky enough to have a metro train for the first time in the state.

Water Metro starts with two routes, High Court – Vypin and Vyttila – Kakkanad. Initially, there will be eight boats with a maximum capacity of 100 people, both solar and diesel-powered, equipped with state-of-the-art systems. Gradually more boats and routes will be part of the water metro. Boats are manufactured by Cochin Shipyard.

Apart from the islanders, the metro boats will be a new travel experience for the tourists coming to Kochi also. Islanders can reach and return to the city in the shortest possible time, relieving the misery of the ever-crowded bus journey. 38 jetties are being prepared for the water metro, some of which are yet to be completed. Once fully operational, 78 boats will be in service. The gradual extension of the service to the suburbs up to 60 km will benefit thousands of passengers. The Rs 747 crore Water Metro was envisaged as part of Metro Rail.

Before the advent of public roads and motor vehicles, Kerala's transportation was mainly dependent on boats. In a state blessed with numerous rivers, streams, and deep canals, even today the cheapest way to travel is by water. The abundance of motor vehicles lead to many of the old habits being left behind and waterways being abandoned made a huge impact. Even though boats are the cheapest means of transportation, they are not utilized properly. Although the government has been saying that they will develop small ports and come up with a plan to facilitate cargo movement, no significant progress is seen there. At least after seeing the shocking increase in the number of road accidents and deaths, we should be able to think differently.

With the water metro becoming a reality, the people are waiting for the completion of the Kovalam-Kasarkod waterway, which has not progressed for more than three decades, to become a reality. The Kollam - Kottapuram waterway is rising to the glory of a national waterway. The waterway from south to north will become a reality only if the Varkala tunnel, which is the main barrier between Kovalam and Kollam, is upgraded. Although the project is years old, there has been no progress. Water sources have a unique place in the tourism sector. Although Kerala is abundant in water, it is still far behind in utilizing it properly. Many districts in the state can replicate the water metro model of Kochi. The government should be ready to entrust this task to imaginative and dedicated officials.