Mumbai: The Maharashtra government asked Kochi Water Metro to prepare a detailed project report (DPR) for launching a similar service in Mumbai, said Ports Minister Nitesh Rane, as per reports on Sunday. Speaking to PTI, Rane mentioned that the DPR is expected by the end of the month. Once approved, a special purpose vehicle (SPV) will be set up to execute the project, with the Union government and Maharashtra government sharing a 50:50 equity partnership.
Rane explained that although Mumbai is made up of seven islands, its waterways have not been fully utilised. He said the introduction of a water metro would help ease congestion on the roads and suburban railway lines, while also giving a boost to urban transport and tourism. The system would use battery-powered ferries to connect various parts of the Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR).
Plans For Water Metro Routes Around Mumbai
Kochi became India's first city to launch a water metro system in December 2023, providing residents an eco-friendly and scenic travel option. Inspired by this success, Mumbai plans to introduce similar routes such as Narangi-Kharwadeswari, Vasai-Mira Bhayander, Fountain Jetty-Gaimukh-Nagale, Kolset-Kalher-Mumbra-Kalyan and Vashi-Domestic Cruise Terminal to Gateway of India, among others.
According to Rane, the plan includes setting up 21 stations along the Vaitarna River, Vasai, Thane, Manori, Panvel creeks and Mumbai Port Trust waters. The project will be implemented in phases, with the first phase featuring the water metro service and the second introducing Ro-Ro (roll-on/roll-off) services. Multi-modal integration, connecting water transport to road and rail networks, will also be developed to improve last-mile connectivity.
Rane noted that most of the proposed areas already have available waterways, and the system will be designed to manage tidal differences of around 3 to 3.5 metres. He also emphasized that alongside improving transportation, the water metro could significantly enhance Mumbai’s tourism sector. There are plans to develop tourist circuits linking forts, bird-watching centres, water parks, and religious sites, with regular cleaning of water bodies to maintain them.
Water Metro Terminal Planned Near NMIA
Highlighting another major development, Rane pointed out that Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis had recently announced that Navi Mumbai Airport would become the first in India to have a dedicated water taxi service. A water metro terminal is also planned near the airport. Meetings between CIDCO, the Maharashtra Maritime Board and the state ports ministry will soon be held to discuss the DPR preparation for these projects.
