Kochi Water Metro Model Set For National Expansion; Feasibility Studies For Kollam, Alappuzha And 18 Other Indian Cities Submitted
Feasibility studies for introducing water metro systems in Kollam and Alappuzha have been submitted to the Inland Waterways Authority of India.
The studies were carried out by Kochi Metro Rail Limited (KMRL), which was tasked by the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways to evaluate the potential for similar systems in multiple cities nationwide.
The initiative is expected to accelerate efforts to promote sustainable water transport as part of urban mobility planning.
KMRL conducted detailed field assessments, technical evaluations and surveys across 18 cities spread over 11 states and two Union territories.
Locations included Srinagar, Guwahati, Patna, Varanasi, Ayodhya, Prayagraj, Cuttack, Ahmedabad, Surat, Mangaluru and several coastal or riverine regions including the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. Studies are still underway for Lakshadweep and Kolkata.
According to KMRL Managing Director Loknath Behera, the growing interest in water metro systems reflects the success of the pioneering network already operating in Kochi.
Alongside these studies, KMRL has also prepared a Detailed Project Report (DPR) for a proposed water metro system in the Mumbai Metropolitan Region.
The plan envisions a vast 250 km network of waterways connecting key areas including Vaitarna, Vasai, Manori, Thane, Panvel and Karanja, as well as routes across Mumbai Port waters and coastal stretches.
The proposed Mumbai network would feature 21 routes, 49 passenger terminals and a fleet of 207 boats, potentially creating one of the largest urban water transport systems in the country.
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