Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal chaired a review on the national rollout of Water Metro services as the Centre advanced plans to introduce the system in 18 cities. The Draft National Water Metro Policy, 2026 has been circulated for inter-ministerial consultation and preparations are under way.

Guwahati has been identified for Phase I alongside Srinagar, Patna, Varanasi, Ayodhya and Prayagraj, while Tezpur and Dibrugarh are proposed for Phase II. The expansion builds on the Kochi Water Metro and aims to transform inland waterways into sustainable and modern public transport corridors.

Sonowal highlighted that the systems are less capital intensive as they leverage existing waterways with minimal civil works. He said faster delivery, lower land needs and reduced operational costs are achievable through electric and hybrid ferries, enabling reduced congestion and a scenic commuting option.

The policy will be consulted with state governments to gather suggestions and ensure local ownership. The framework adopts an ecosystem approach covering vessels, terminals, charging and navigational infrastructure, while promoting standardisation, indigenisation and multimodal integration. Planning criteria prioritise regions with continuous waterways and cities with populations exceeding one million (mn), though criteria may be relaxed where projects improve connectivity or flood resilience.

Multiple funding models are under consideration, including joint Centre-State funding, fully State-funded schemes, public-private partnerships and fully Centre-funded initiatives, with cost optimisation to ensure viability. The Inland Waterways Authority of India had tasked Kochi Metro Rail Limited with feasibility studies for 18 cities in February 2025; site visits are complete for all locations, draft reports have been submitted for 17 with Lakshadweep pending, and reports for Srinagar, Patna, Guwahati, Varanasi and Ayodhya have been accepted. The ministry has called for local engagement, heritage-sensitive design and quantification of fuel savings and environmental benefits as part of implementation.