The Inland Waterways Authority of India has entrusted Kochi Metro Rail Ltd with conducting a feasibility study to develop an urban water transport system in several cities.
A decision to explore a water metro, in full or in part, in 17 cities across 12 states was taken at IWAI’s 196th board meeting. The initiative will provide a robust and sustainable urban transport system, by utilising existing navigable waterways.
The 17 cities chosen by IWAI for developing a water metro include Ayodhya, Dhubri, Goa, Guwahati, Kollam, Kolkata, Prayagraj, Patna, Srinagar, Varanasi, Mumbai, Vasai, Mangaluru (Gurupura River), Gandhinagar-Ahmedabad (Sabarmati River), Alappuzha in Kerala, as well as Lakshadweep and the Andaman & Nicobar Islands where inter-island ferry services could transform connectivity.
The water metro model, according to officials, represents a breakthrough in urban water transportation, offering safe, efficient, and environmentally-friendly alternatives to conventional modes of transport. Leveraging India’s rich network of rivers, canals and other water bodies, the project will focus on cities with potential for urban water transport systems.
The Urban Water Transport System will connect mainland and adjoining municipalities/ panchayat areas/ islands through waterways, and integrate the system with other modes of transport. Besides, it will promote tourism and regional economic growth. It will employ non-polluting and sustainable measures through energy-efficient electric ferries, modernised terminals and ensure seamless multimodal connectivity.
IWAI has made several infrastructural interventions to develop waterways as a robust engine of growth. It is expanding its footprint throughout the country – from Arunachal Pradesh in the East to Gujarat in the West and Jammu and Kashmir in the North to Kerala in the South.
Kerala Industries Minister P. Rajeeve in a Linkedin post said the Kochi Water Metro, a pioneering initiative in sustainable urban mobility, is now setting a national benchmark. From concept to execution, the state’s water metro is proving to be yet another great Kerala Model — an innovation that is now inspiring the rest of the country.
Maharashtra has sought KMRL’s expertise to kick-start feasibility work in Mumbai. This underscores not only the scale of investment, but also Kerala’s leadership in delivering world-class, sustainable infrastructure, the Minister added.
IWAI has taken multiple green initiatives which include procurement of electric catamarans for passenger ferries. Two such catamarans havebeen deployed, one each in Varanasi and Ayodhya. Six more would be deployed soon in Mathura and Guwahati. One hydrogen fuel cell powered vessel has also been procured, which recently completed trials.