Mattancherry's Water Metro terminal to open in April

The Water Metro terminal at Mattancherry is almost ready to welcome ferries starting in April. This terminal has faced several delays but is now on track for completion just in time for summer vacation, when many people visit the waterfront for boat rides. The new terminal will be one of the largest for the Water Metro. It is located next to the renovated ferry terminal of the State Water Transport Department, opposite the famous Dutch Palace. Once finished, it will have space to berth up to three electric-hybrid ferries at the same time and more space for nighttime berthing. Authorities plan to connect the city to Mattancherry with several ferries, helping residents and tourists travel to popular spots like Fort Kochi. The Cochin Shipyard will deliver a new ferry this month to enhance these services. Floating pontoons for berthing ferries are expected to be ready within a month. The local Water Metro Action Council has pushed for the timely completion of the terminal. In the meantime, commuters have relied on the existing electric-hybrid ferries in the High Court-Fort Kochi route. Recently, ferry services resumed at the Mattancherry jetty after a seven-year gap, providing some relief to travelers. Additionally, three new electric feeder bus services will connect the Water Metro’s High Court terminal to various locations in the city, running from early morning until evening. These buses will operate every ten minutes, making it easier for passengers to reach their destinations. The State Water Transport Department is also planning to extend ferry services to Mattancherry late into the night with a new catamaran ferry. Some local residents have expressed concerns about safety at the jetty due to poor lighting and have called for improvements.