New Delhi, May 19: The Union Government has taken a step toward expanding Water Metro services across India, with the Ministry of Ports, Shipping & Waterways (MoPSW) circulating the Draft National Water Metro Policy, 2026 for inter-ministerial consultation.
The proposed policy aims to create a structured national framework for urban water transport by utilising India’s existing network of rivers and waterways to develop sustainable and modern public mobility systems.
In the first phase, the Water Metro network is proposed for Guwahati, Srinagar, Patna, Varanasi, Ayodhya, and Prayagraj. The second phase will include Tezpur and Dibrugarh in Assam. The initiative is inspired by the success of the Kochi Water Metro and seeks to replicate its model in other cities across the country.
Union Minister for Ports, Shipping & Waterways Sarbananda Sonowal chaired a review meeting on the initiative and highlighted that Water Metro systems offer a cost-efficient and environment-friendly alternative to road-based urban transport. He noted that the use of existing waterways reduces infrastructure requirements, while electric and hybrid ferries are expected to further lower emissions.
The Minister added that the draft policy will be further refined through consultations with state governments to incorporate feedback and ensure practical implementation. The framework includes development of vessels, terminals, charging infrastructure, passenger amenities, safety systems, and integration with existing transport networks.
The Water Metro project is envisioned as a sustainable mass transit solution for both daily commuters and tourists, with emphasis on clean energy technologies, standardisation, and domestic manufacturing in vessel design and construction.