Maharashtra has signed a memorandum of understanding with Norwegian maritime technology company Hyke AS through the Maharashtra Maritime Board to implement a Mumbai Water Metro covering 31 routes and 45 passenger terminals across the Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR). The chief minister said the state government has pursued long term water transport planning for nearly a decade and that the project would mark a major shift in urban mobility by establishing a modern, sustainable water transport system for the MMR.

The agreement focuses on introducing technologically advanced ferries and on exploring the establishment of shipbuilding facilities within Maharashtra to support fleet construction and maintenance. Officials indicated the partnership will support maritime skill development and strengthen the state shipbuilding ecosystem, and that a detailed project report has been prepared through Kochi Metro Rail Limited. The scheme is designed to reduce dependence on overcrowded road and rail networks by making greater use of waterways, creeks and coastal corridors.

The plan provides for modernisation of 24 existing passenger terminals across 21 operational routes and for construction of 21 additional terminals on 10 new corridors, bringing the total to 45 terminals and 31 routes across the MMR. A senior legislator described the initiative as an important step in expanding the state maritime infrastructure and suggested that collaboration with an international technology company would accelerate development in port services and water transport systems. Officials said the Mumbai Water Metro could become a model for other Indian cities seeking cleaner and congestion free urban mobility alternatives through integrated water based transport.

Implementation will require coordination among state agencies, technology providers and coastal municipalities and may involve the development of local shipbuilding capacity to support operations and training programmes. The partnership is expected to catalyse investment and to provide commuters with an alternative that complements existing suburban rail and road services while offering a cleaner mobility option. Officials will finalise technical, operational and financing details in subsequent stages.