The Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI) has roped in Kochi Metro Rail Ltd (KMRL) to conduct a feasibility study for developing urban water transport systems in several cities.
The move, discussed at IWAI’s 196th board meeting, aims to explore the potential for a ‘water metro’ in full or part across 17 cities spanning 12 states.
The cities shortlisted for the project include Ayodhya, Dhubri, Goa, Guwahati, Kollam, Kolkata, Prayagraj, Patna, Srinagar, Varanasi, Mumbai, Vasai, Mangaluru (Gurupura River), Gandhinagar-Ahmedabad (Sabarmati River), Alappuzha, as well as the Lakshadweep and Andaman & Nicobar Islands, where inter-island ferry services could significantly improve connectivity.
The idea behind this initiative is to tap into India’s existing waterways for a cleaner, more efficient mode of transport.
The plan is to integrate the water transport system with other existing public transport networks, allowing better connectivity between mainland areas and surrounding municipalities, panchayats, or islands.
Apart from reducing congestion on roads, the system could also boost tourism and local economies.
Officials suggest the model will prioritise eco-friendly measures, with a focus on electric ferries, modernised terminals, and seamless multimodal connections. KMRL’s role in the feasibility study comes after its successful implementation of the Kochi Water Metro, which has been touted as a sustainable urban mobility model. Maharashtra has already approached KMRL to assess the feasibility of a similar project in Mumbai.
IWAI has been making strides in expanding India’s inland waterways, stretching its efforts from Arunachal Pradesh in the east to Gujarat in the west, and from Jammu and Kashmir in the north to Kerala in the south.
Some of its recent green initiatives include the deployment of electric catamarans for passenger services, with one each in Varanasi and Ayodhya, and six more planned for Mathura and Guwahati.
Additionally, a hydrogen fuel cell-powered vessel recently completed its trial run.