In a significant move towards sustainable urban mobility, the Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI) has decided to conduct a feasibility study for developing an Urban Water Transport System across multiple cities. This decision, taken at the 196th Board Meeting of IWAI, will explore the implementation of the Water Metro model in full or part across 17 cities spanning 12 states. The study will be conducted by Kochi Metro Rail Limited (KMRL), leveraging its expertise in integrated transport solutions.

This initiative aims to establish a modern, efficient, and eco-friendly urban transport system by utilising India’s extensive network of navigable waterways. The Water Metro model, successfully pioneered in Kochi, presents a game-changing approach to urban mobility, offering a safe, sustainable, and non-polluting alternative to traditional transport systems. By integrating waterways with other modes of transport, the project seeks to reduce congestion, promote tourism, and drive regional economic growth.

Cities Identified for Water Metro Development IWAI, in consultation with the Ministry of Ports, Shipping, and Waterways, has shortlisted the following cities for the feasibility study:Ayodhya, Dhubri, Goa, Guwahati, Kollam, Kolkata, Prayagraj, Patna, Srinagar, Varanasi, Mumbai, Vasai, Mangalore (Gurupura River), Gandhinagar-Ahmedabad (Sabarmati River), Alleppey (Kerala), as well as Lakshadweep and Andaman & Nicobar Islands.

The inclusion of Lakshadweep and Andaman & Nicobar Islands highlights the potential for inter-island ferry services, significantly improving connectivity in these regions.Nationwide Expansion of Inland Waterways. Under the leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi and the guidance of Minister of Ports, Shipping, and Waterways Shri Sarbananda Sonowal, IWAI has been expanding the scope of inland waterways from Arunachal Pradesh in the East to Gujarat in the West, and from Jammu & Kashmir in the North to Kerala in the South.