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The Union Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways is preparing a phased rollout of water metro transport systems across 18 cities in India and has circulated a draft National Water Metro Policy for inter-ministerial consultations. The first phase will cover Srinagar, Patna, Varanasi, Ayodhya and Prayagraj, while Tezpur and Dibrugarh in Assam are planned for the second phase. The initiative follows the operational model of the Kochi Water Metro and aims to develop inland waterways as urban public transport corridors using electric and hybrid ferries. The government said the proposed systems would require lower capital investment compared to conventional transport infrastructure while improving urban mobility, reducing congestion, and enhancing connectivity in cities with navigable waterways and tourism-driven transport demand.
The Union Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways is working on a national plan to introduce water metro transport systems across 18 cities, with the government initiating inter-ministerial consultations on a draft National Water Metro Policy ahead of the proposed rollout. Advertisement
The ministry announced during the past week that the first phase of the programme will include Srinagar, Patna, Varanasi, Ayodhya, and Prayagraj. In the second phase, water metro services are planned for Tezpur and Dibrugarh in Assam.
Union Minister for Ports, Shipping and Waterways Sarbananda Sonowal chaired a review meeting on the proposed implementation of the water metro systems.
According to the ministry, the programme is being developed on the basis of operational experience and planning insights gained from the Kochi Water Metro project. The government stated that the initiative aims to expand water-based urban mobility solutions in cities with navigable waterways and growing transport requirements.
The ministry said the proposed systems are intended to transform inland waterways into sustainable and modern public transport corridors capable of supporting daily commuter movement as well as tourism-linked travel demand.
Sonowal stated that the proposed water metro projects would require lower capital investment compared to conventional urban transport systems because they rely largely on existing waterways and limited civil infrastructure development.
He noted that the projects could be delivered within shorter timelines while reducing land acquisition requirements and operational expenditure, particularly through the deployment of electric and hybrid ferry systems.
According to the minister, the proposed services are expected to contribute towards easing traffic congestion in urban centres while offering an alternative commuting mode through inland waterways.
The ministry stated that the water metro systems are being planned as integrated public transport solutions for cities with navigable water channels and strong mobility demand.
Sonowal said the projects would be prioritised in regions possessing suitable geographical conditions, including continuous or semi-continuous waterways. He added that cities with populations exceeding one million and demonstrating substantial transport demand, particularly along tourism corridors, would receive priority consideration.
However, the ministry indicated that the eligibility criteria could be relaxed in cases where water metro systems significantly improve access to remote or water-locked regions, reduce road congestion, or strengthen urban resilience during floods and transport disruptions.
The Inland Waterways Authority of India has engaged Kochi Metro Rail Limited to conduct feasibility studies for the 18 identified locations.
According to officials, the studies include assessments of existing public transport systems, passenger demand estimation, multimodal integration, and economic and financial viability.
The ministry stated that site visits have been completed across all 18 locations identified under the programme. Draft feasibility reports have already been submitted for 17 cities, while the report for Lakshadweep is still pending.
Source - PTI
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