**Executive Summary**
The Ministry of Ports, Shipping & Waterways has circulated the Draft National Water Metro Policy, 2026, to establish a national framework for urban water transport across 18 identified cities. Building on the success of the Kochi Water Metro, the initiative aims to provide an eco-friendly, capital-efficient mass transit solution using existing navigable waterways. The project is currently in the inter-ministerial and state consultation phase, with Phase I rollout planned for cities including Guwahati, Srinagar, and Varanasi.
**Key Points / Main Content**
**Phased National Rollout**
* **Phase I Locations:** Guwahati, Srinagar, Patna, Varanasi, Ayodhya, and Prayagraj.
* **Phase II Locations:** Tezpur and Dibrugarh in Assam.
* **Total Scope:** A total of 18 cities have been identified for the nationwide rollout of Water Metro services.
**Strategic Rationale and Benefits**
* **Cost Efficiency:** Systems are less capital-intensive as they utilize existing waterways with minimal civil infrastructure and lower land requirements.
* **Sustainability:** Emphasis on green technologies, specifically the adoption of electric and hybrid ferries to reduce operational costs and environmental impact.
* **Urban Improvement:** Aims to reduce road congestion while providing a comfortable and scenic commuting experience.
**Project Selection and Planning Criteria**
* **Eligibility:** Prioritized for regions with continuous or semi-continuous waterways and cities with populations exceeding one million.
* **Demand Focus:** Targeted at areas with demonstrated transport demand, particularly along tourist corridors.
* **Flexibility:** Criteria may be relaxed for projects that significantly improve connectivity to remote/water-locked areas or enhance flood resilience.
**Development and Funding Framework**
* **Ecosystem Approach:** Standardisation of vessel design, terminals, charging infrastructure, and safety protocols to ensure seamless multimodal integration.
* **Funding Models:** Options include joint Centre-State funding, fully State-funded projects, Public-Private Partnerships (PPP), and fully Centre-funded initiatives.
* **Indigenisation:** The policy promotes domestic vessel construction and the use of locally appropriate building materials to reflect regional maritime heritage.
**Current Feasibility Status**
* **Feasibility Studies:** Conducted by Kochi Metro Rail Limited (KMRL) for 18 cities; site visits are complete for all locations.
* **Report Status:** Draft feasibility reports have been submitted for 17 cities (Lakshadweep is pending), and reports for five Phase I cities have already been accepted.
**Impact Analysis**
**Ministry of Ports, Shipping & Waterways / Central Government**
**Impact**
Responsible for driving India’s next phase of transport revolution through a standardized national framework.
**Action Required**
Oversee inter-ministerial consultations and finalize the National Water Metro Policy, 2026.
**State Governments**
**Impact**
Recipients of new public transport infrastructure; responsible for regional integration and potential project funding.
**Action Required**
Review the draft policy and provide suggestions; participate in local engagement and awareness building.
**Kochi Metro Rail Limited (KMRL)**
**Impact**
Designated expert body for feasibility studies based on previous success in Kochi.
**Action Required**
Complete the pending feasibility report for Lakshadweep and support the transition of draft reports into actionable projects.
**Urban Commuters and Tourists**
**Impact**
Beneficiaries of a modern, world-class, and sustainable mobility solution that offers an alternative to congested road networks.
**Action Required**
Adopt the new water-based transport systems as they become operational in the target cities.
Key Entities Referenced
Draft National Water Metro Policy, 2026: A proposed national framework aimed at formalizing urban water transport and scaling water-based mobility solutions across 18 Indian cities.
Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways (MoPSW): The primary central ministry responsible for formulating the policy and overseeing the nationwide rollout of Water Metro services.
Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI): The statutory body managing navigable waterways that commissioned feasibility studies for the implementation of the national Water Metro projects.
Kochi Water Metro: The pilot project used as the successful reference model for the development of the national framework and its operational standards.
Kochi Metro Rail Limited (KMRL): The technical agency entrusted with conducting feasibility studies, financial assessments, and multimodal integration plans for the identified cities.
Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways
Centre Circulates Draft National Water Metro
Policy for Inter-Ministerial Consultation Ahead of
National Rollout in 18 Cities
Centre Plans Guwahati Water Metro in Phase I of Nationwide
Rollout: Sarbananda Sonowal
Srinagar, Patna, Varanasi, Ayodhya, & Prayagraj cities to also
get Water Metro in Phase I
Tezpur and Dibrugarh in Assam set to get Water Metro in the
Phase II of the Project
Draft National Water Metro Policy, 2026 circulated for Inter
Ministerial Consultations: Sonowal
Posted On: 18 MAY 2026 8:50PM by PIB Delhi
The Union Minister of Ports, Shipping & Waterways (MoPSW), Sarbananda Sonowal chaired a
review meeting on the rollout of the much anticipated Water Metro services in the country. The Centre has
advanced plans to roll out Water Metro services in 18 cities, with Guwahati among those identified for
Phase I, Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal said here today.
Cities including Srinagar, Patna, Varanasi, Ayodhya and Prayagraj are also part of Phase I, while Tezpur
and Dibrugarh in Assam have been proposed for Phase II of the project. The Ministry has simultaneously
circulated the Draft National Water Metro Policy, 2026 for inter-ministerial consultations, indicating a
push to formalise a national framework for urban water transport.
Building on the success and learnings from the Kochi Water Metro, the Modi Government is now scaling
up a national framework to introduce water-based urban mobility solutions across cities with navigable
waterways. The proposed rollout aims to transform inland waterways into efficient, sustainable, and
modern public transport corridors.
Highlighting the rationale behind the initiative, the Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal underscored,
“The proposed Water Metro systems are significantly less capital intensive as they utilise existing
waterways with minimal civil infrastructure. 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. These services will contribute
to reducing congestion in cities while offering a comfortable, scenic, and smoother commuting
experience.”Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal emphasised on the need for consultation of the Draft National Water
Metro Policy, 2026 with the State Governments too for receiving their valuable suggestions on the same.
The proposed Water Metro system is envisioned as a mass public transport solution catering to both daily
commuters and tourism. It will operate across all navigable waterways. Union Minister Sarbananda
Sonowal added, “Under PM Narendra Modi ji’s leadership, a strong emphasis has been placed on green
technologies, with hybrid and electric propulsion systems encouraged alongside periodic technological
upgrades.” The initiative adopts an ecosystem approach, ensuring standardisation in vessel design,
terminals, charging infrastructure, and safety protocols, while promoting indigenisation in vessel
construction and seamless multimodal integration with existing transport networks.
Outlining the planning criteria, Sarbananda Sonowal said, “Water Metro projects will be prioritised in
regions with suitable geographic conditions, including continuous or semi-continuous waterways. Cities
with populations exceeding one million and with demonstrated transport demand particularly in tourist
corridors will be considered.” However, these criteria may be relaxed in cases where projects significantly
reduce road congestion, improve connectivity to remote or water-locked areas, or enhance resilience
during floods and disruptions.
The development framework adopts a comprehensive ecosystem approach encompassing vessels,
pontoons, jetties, bunkering & charging infrastructure, terminals, passenger amenities, and navigational
aids. Multiple funding models are under consideration, including joint Centre-State funding, fully State-
funded projects, Public-Private Partnerships (PPP), & fully Centre-funded initiatives. The Ministry has
emphasised cost optimisation strategies through efficient planning, fleet rationalisation & operational
management to ensure long-term viability.
The Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI) had entrusted Kochi Metro Rail Limited (KMRL) with
conducting feasibility studies for 18 cities on 25 February 2025. The study covers assessment of existing
public transport systems, travel demand estimation, financial and economic viability (FIRR and EIRR),
and multimodal integration. As per the current status, 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.
Speaking on the Draft National Water Metro Policy 2026, Sarbananda Sonowal emphasised that India’s
rich maritime heritage must be reflected in the design and architecture of terminals and associated
infrastructure. He stressed the importance of conducting thorough “landscape assessments and using
locally appropriate building materials to preserve regional identity”.
Sonowal further called for active local engagement, particularly involving young students, to build
awareness and participation in India’s waterways transformation. Emphasising sustainability, the Minister
noted that quantifying fuel savings and environmental benefits should be a key communication focus.
Sonowal added that Water Metro projects should enhance the beauty, reputation, and legacy of cities while
delivering world-class and sustainable mobility solutions. He reiterated that the objective should be public
service on par with best practices in developed nations. Describing the initiative as a “golden opportunity,”
the Minister said that the Ministry has a pivotal role to play in driving India’s next phase of transport
revolution through innovative, sustainable, and inclusive mobility solutions.***
MI/Indu
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