Centre plans water metro in 18 cities; Patna, Varanasi and Srinagar among first-phase

The Union government plans to roll out water metro services in 18 cities across the country, with Guwahati among the locations identified in the first phase, Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal said on Monday.

Chairing a review meeting on the proposed rollout, the minister said cities such as Srinagar, Patna, Varanasi, Ayodhya and Prayagraj are also part of Phase I, while Tezpur and Dibrugarh have been proposed for Phase II.

The initiative builds on the experience of the Kochi Water Metro and seeks to create a national framework for water-based urban mobility in cities with navigable waterways.

"The proposed Water Metro systems are significantly less capital intensive as they utilise existing waterways with minimal civil infrastructure," Sonowal said.

"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," he said.

According to the minister, the proposed system is envisioned as a mass public transport solution for both daily commuters and tourists and will operate across navigable waterways.

He said water metro projects will be prioritised in cities with suitable geographic conditions, including continuous or semi-continuous waterways, and populations of more than one million, especially where there is significant transport demand and tourism potential.

The criteria may be relaxed in areas where such services can substantially reduce road congestion, improve connectivity to remote or water-locked regions, or strengthen resilience during floods and other disruptions, he added.

The ministry said the development framework will cover vessels, pontoons, jetties, bunkering and charging infrastructure, terminals, passenger amenities and navigational aids.

Funding options under consideration include joint Centre-state funding, state-funded projects, public-private partnerships and fully Centre-funded models.

Sonowal said state governments should also be consulted on the draft policy to incorporate their suggestions.

The minister said hybrid and electric propulsion systems would be encouraged, along with periodic technology upgrades, as part of the government's push for green transport solutions.

The Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI) had entrusted Kochi Metro Rail Limited (KMRL) with conducting feasibility studies for 18 cities on February 25, 2025.

Site visits have been completed for all 18 locations, while draft feasibility reports have been submitted for 17 cities, with Lakshadweep pending.

Feasibility reports for Srinagar, Patna, Guwahati, Varanasi and Ayodhya have already been accepted, the ministry said.