Floating pontoons for installations arrived at the Kochi Water Metro terminals. Kochi Water Metro is the first of its kind in India to have floating pontoons through all terminals. It makes it easy for passengers to board and deboard on boats. For easy transition, aluminum gangways connect water terminals to pontoons. In Western countries, pontoon systems are widely used, but they are being implemented in the public water transport system as a first of their kind in India. Marinetek, Finland, is developing and making pontoons for KWMP.Pontoons are very convenient for elderly and disabled passengers, given the same boarding levels
A person with a motor impairment can board without assistance on a wheelchair. In India, for the first time, a water transportation system complies, in letter and spirit, with the RPwD Act.
The pontoon is 20m x 4.8m in size and includes supply of water, ferry chargers, passenger and navigation lighting, passenger information systems and monitoring systems. Floating concrete pontoons have a considerable advantage over traditional fixed jetties as costs of production, maintenance, ease of access for passengers, especially for disabled people, maintaining the same level of boats, etc. As part of the water metro in 38 terminals, 64 such berths will be built.
Last week, Shri. K.R. Jyothilal IAS, MD, KMRL, along with CMD, CSL, visited Cochin Shipyard to assess the progress of the construction of Kochi Water Metro Boats. A thorough examination of the electric hybrid propulsion, navigation, and communication systems on board the vessel was conducted. The Vytilla and Kakkanad Terminals are ready for launch.
