Kochi Water Metro mishap sparks fresh safety audit demands

Kochi: Commuters on a Kochi Water Metro boat had a narrow escape on Saturday morning when the vessel lost control and collided with a stationary Ro-Ro boat at Vypeen jetty. The incident occurred around 10.30am as the Water Metro boat was attempting to dock at the Vypeen terminal, which is located adjacent to the Ro-Ro jetty. Although no passengers were injured, the collision has sparked renewed concerns over the safety of water transport operations in the area.

According to Kochi Water Metro Limited (KWML), the boat had been operating on its regular route from the High Court terminal to Vypeen. As it approached the jetty, a strong undercurrent caused the vessel to drift backward and lightly hit the anchored Ro-Ro boat. "Neither vessel suffered major damage, and there was no inconvenience to passengers. With the help of another boat, the passengers disembarked at the jetty. Service was temporarily suspended until the current's strength decreased, after which the operations resumed," stated a press note issued by KWML regarding the incident.

Kochi Metro Rail Limited (KMRL), which oversees KWML, has initiated a detailed investigation into the incident. KWML CEO Sajan P John said the preliminary probe points to an unusually strong undercurrent during low tide as the reason for the mishap. "Boat operators rely on visible signs on the water surface and scientific tidal data from our control centres to assess such risks. The driver involved was a trained and experienced operator," he said.

This is not the first time such an incident has occurred in the area. In Nov 2023, two Water Metro boats slightly grazed each other while slowing down near the same location, causing the emergency exit on one of the boats to open automatically and triggering alarms that led to panic among commuters. Though no injuries were reported, the incident raised similar safety concerns.

The area has a history of maritime accidents. In 2015, a major collision between a fishing boat and a passenger ferry claimed 11 lives near Vypeen.

Several civic groups, including the Kochi Metro Passengers Association, have demanded a safety audit. "Three different jetties—SWTD, Water Metro, and Ro-Ro—operate adjacent to each other at Vypeen, increasing the risk of accidents during berthing," said association member Ebencer Chullikkadu.

Launched in April 2023, the Kochi Water Metro is India's first integrated water transport project and recently won a national award for the ‘Best Green Transport Initiative'.