The Inland Waterways Authority of India has invited bids for the preparation of Detailed Project Reports and to provide Project Management Consultancy services for proposed Urban Water Metro systems in three cities: Srinagar, Guwahati and Kolkata. The tender reference is IWAI/Cargo/591/2026-27 and the earnest money deposit is Rs nine point eight seven four million (mn). A pre-bid meeting is scheduled for 03 July 2026 and bids must be submitted by 22 July 2026 with opening on 23 July 2026. The consultant will be required to assess infrastructure needs, potential terminal locations, route identification and projected passenger demand while evaluating financial viability and regulatory and institutional frameworks. The scope includes stakeholder consultations and preparation of operational and maintenance strategies, followed by provision of project management consultancy for all three urban water transport systems. Technical and financial assessments are expected to inform recommendations on feasible service patterns and investment requirements. The study will cover 11 locations on the River Jhelum and 10 locations on Dal Lake in Srinagar, with sites ranging from Pantha Chowk and K P Bridge to Nishat Garden and Dargah Hazratbal Shrine. In Guwahati the proposed network would consider gateways such as Uzaan Bazar, Pandu Port, Guwahati Airport and North Guwahati, along with ferry points at Sualkuchi and Choonsali. Kolkata proposals include integration at central riverfronts and ferry ghats such as Princep Ghat, Howrah Station Jetty, Dakshineswar and Belur Math to improve connectivity along the Hooghly. IWAI also plans cruise terminal integration in the three cities and has indicated that the selected consultant should account for an earlier cruise terminal design that has been awarded to another firm while designing the urban ferry facilities. The authority has framed the initiative under its remit to promote inland water transport as a cleaner and more sustainable option and anticipates that water metro systems could provide an alternative public transport mode. The DPRs and PMC services are intended to inform phased implementation and minimise pressure on road networks by making better use of existing waterways.