Kochi: Kumbalam Water Metro terminal has fallen into a state of severe neglect, with infrastructure deteriorating and anti-social elements taking over the premises — all before the station has even been inaugurated.Built roughly two-and-a-half years ago, the terminal is fully equipped with automatic fare collection gates, ticket machines, computers and charging stations. Zero maintenance has left these assets exposed to dust and decay.“The washrooms have turned dingy, and one of the two granite benches near the waterfront recently collapsed when a family sat on it. Crores of public money are going to waste. Now they will have to spend a huge amount to make the building functional,” said Sanal Kumar, a local.“Two boat jetties, one by Kochi Water Metro and the other by the irrigation department, were constructed 2.5 years ago, yet remain entirely useless to the public,” said ward councillor Jolly Pawathil.Locals rue that after dark, the abandoned station turns into a hotspot for anti-social elements. Miscreants on Monday locked the building from the outside, trapping the security guard inside. Panangad Police has launched an investigation.To make matters worse, a public toilet complex at the other end of the jetty — built nearly 15 years ago — has never been opened to the public. Although the panchayat renovated it over a year ago, it remains locked. Officials explain that without a crowd or proper supervision, the facility risks being misused and will only open once the Water Metro terminal becomes operational.Kochi Metro Rail Limited officials said the terminal remains closed because ferry operations along this specific corridor have not yet started. “Now the plan is to develop the Nettoor terminal as a strategic intermediate hub. We will commence operations to the Kumbalam side once we start receiving additional boats and upon the completion of the Nettoor terminal,” officials said.