Excelsior Correspondent
KOCHI, Sept 20: Amit Sharma, Secretary to the Government of Mizoram (ICT Department) and Director Census Operations & Citizen Registration, described the Water Metro as the future of transportation while addressing the National Urban Transport & Infrastructure Summit 2025 at Kochi.
Delivering the keynote address at the inaugural ceremony, he shared insights from his previous tenures as Transport Secretary in the Union Territories of Ladakh and Jammu & Kashmir.
He underlined how the Kochi Water Metro, launched two years ago by the Prime Minister, has become a revolutionary mode of travel by connecting multiple islands, including the historic Fort Kochi area, thereby reducing travel time and distance for both residents and tourists.
Sharma said such innovative projects are crucial for easing congestion in urban areas and can serve as models for other regions.
In a panel discussion later during the summit, he emphasised the importance of building the capacity of human resources in the transport sector to align with Artificial Intelligence-driven technologies.
His remarks were well-received by fellow participants including Kochi Metro Chairman Loknath Behara, BEML CMD Sumanto Rao, and senior representatives from Delhi Metro, who appreciated his forward-looking ideas.
It was also highlighted that waterways like the Jhelum and Chenab in Jammu & Kashmir hold strong potential for introducing Water Metro systems, and the proposal is under active consideration.
In the evening, Kochi Metro organised a study tour of the Water Metro for visiting officers, including Sharma, offering them first-hand exposure to the project.
The experience, participants noted, could inspire the introduction of similar water-based metro networks in other states and Union Territories across the country.
Follow our WhatsApp channel
