The Centre has advanced plans to roll out Water Metro services in 18 cities, with Guwahati among those identified for Phase I, Union Minister of Ports, Shipping and Waterways, Sarbananda Sonowal said while chairing a review meeting on the rollout of the much-anticipated Water Metro services in the country. Cities including Srinagar, Patna, Varanasi, Ayodhya and Prayagraj are also part of Phase I, while Tezpur and Dibrugarh in Assam have been proposed for Phase II of the project. The Ministry has simultaneously circulated the Draft National Water Metro Policy, 2026 for inter-ministerial consultations, indicating a push to formalize a national framework for urban water transport. Building on the success and learnings from the Kochi Water Metro, the Modi Government is now scaling up a national framework to introduce water-based urban mobility solutions across cities with navigable waterways.
The proposed rollout aims to transform inland waterways into efficient, sustainable, and modern public transport corridors. Highlighting the rationale behind the initiative, Sonowal said, “The proposed Water Metro systems are significantly less capital intensive as they utilize existing waterways with minimal civil infrastructure. With faster construction timelines, lower land requirements, and reduced operational costs—particularly through the adoption of electric and hybrid ferries—the system offers a viable and eco-friendly alternative to conventional urban transport. These services will contribute to reducing congestion in cities while offering a comfortable, scenic, and smoother commuting experience.” He emphasized on the need for consultation of the Draft National Water Metro Policy, 2026 with the State Governments too for receiving their valuable suggestions on the same. The proposed Water Metro system is envisioned as a mass public transport solution catering to both daily commuters and tourism. It will operate across all navigable waterways.
Outlining the planning criteria, Sonowal said, “Water Metro projects will be prioritized in regions with suitable geographic conditions, including continuous or semi-continuous waterways. Cities with populations exceeding one million and with demonstrated transport demand particularly in tourist corridors will be considered.” However, this criterion may be relaxed in cases where projects significantly reduce road congestion, improve connectivity to remote or water-locked areas, or enhance resilience during floods and disruptions. The development framework adopts a comprehensive ecosystem approach encompassing vessels, pontoons, jetties, bunkering and charging infrastructure, terminals, passenger amenities and navigational aid. Multiple funding models are under consideration, including joint Centre-State funding, fully State-funded projects, Public-Private Partnerships (PPP) and fully Centre-funded initiatives. The Ministry has emphasised cost optimisation strategies through efficient planning, fleet rationalization and operational management to ensure long-term viability. The Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI) had entrusted Kochi Metro Rail Limited (KMRL) with conducting feasibility studies for 18 cities in February 2025. The study covers assessment of existing public transport systems, travel demand estimation, financial and economic viability (FIRR and EIRR) and multimodal integration.