Page 89 - HUDCO Award for Best Practices - 2024

THEME: URBAN TRANSPORT

and cooperation of Panchayats, Municipalities and Corporation in geographical project limits were ensured for executional and
operational support of the project. Following long-term benefits were forecasted:

• Provisioning first and last mile connectivity for island community with other modes of public transport to the main land.

• Generation of employment opportunities for the islanders, thereby elevating living standards of island community.

• Facilitating infrastructure, trade and tourism development of the island community and thereby improving their livelihood
opportunities.

• Promotion/exposure to island culture, traditions and resources, adding socio economic development of island communities.

• World class transport facility for the island dwellers.

Premier institutes and proficient technical advisors have supported the project for product and technology finalization during
difficult stages. Being one of the first projects in the country of such a nature has motivated all the stake holders to cooperate well
within their limits. The involvement of Kudumbasree in operational sector of water metro is a great example of water metro’s vision
towards women empowerment.

The success of the project is evident from ridership data till date. Almost 14 lakh + commuters have already utilized the services
of water metro since its inception in April 2023. It is to be noted that this achievement is only from the first two routes that have
been operationalized on date. Not just daily commuters, but also there is a very heavy tourist footfall in the system considering
international standards adopted throughout the system.

RESULTS ACHIEVED

As already stated, the success of the project is evident from the ridership data till date. Almost14 lakh + commuters have already
utilized the services of water metro since its inception in April 2023 (in a span of just 8 months). It is to be noted that this achievement
is only from the first two routes that have been operationalized on date. The following are main results contributing to urban liveability,
quality of life and societal impact.

a) Aesthetics – State of the art, most modern battery electric air-conditioned ferries for passenger commuting. Metro modern terminals/
stations with automatic fare collection systems and Customer care centre. Metro-like experience for commuters in the water.

b) Safety – All boats in the water metro system are equipped with navigational equipment’s like Radar, Thermal camera, Echo-
sounder, DMR, VHF, Fire alarm systems, Vessel Automation System (VAS), Passenger Announcement System (PAS), Passenger
Information Display System (PIDS), CCTV, panic buttons and manual emergency call points, etc.

There are also 4 no. of Emergency Response cum Workboats for supporting the main fleet of passenger boats in case of emergency
and for maintenance. Workboats can also serve as ambulance boats in case of a medical emergency.
At Terminals – Automatic Fare Collection (AFC), PAS, PIDS, CCTV, Floating pontoons, Fire alarms, UPS and DG Backup,
Passenger Control System (PCS) to avoid overcrowding (Introduced for the first time in India).
Floating pontoons are adopted to facilitate hindrance free embarkation and disembarkation of even physically challenged and
elderly commuters. Pontoons ensure equitable/universal access to passengers including disabled by maintaining same levels with
boat during tidal variations or floods, ensuring safe passenger access between terminal and boats.
c) Environmental quality – Highly energy efficient ferries with low carbon footprint and nil disturbance to aquatic flora and fauna.
Modal shift shall bring down carbon emissions and ensure a journey towards net zero emissions. Almost nil disturbance to river/
canal shorelines thereby protecting the interest of island communities.
d) Efficiency – Ultra most efficient hull with low carbon footprint and nil disturbance to aquatic flora and fauna. Reduction in carbon
foot print thereby ensuring net zero emissions. Reduced travel time and increased reliability. De-congestion on the roads,thereby
reducing the traffic, road maintenance, etc.
e) Equity – Employment opportunities at various portfolios created like project management, operations, maintenance, etc. thereby
elevating living standards of community including that of islanders. Equitable/universal access to passengers including disabled
by deploying floating jetties for the first time in public water transport system in India.

72 73