The Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways has circulated the Draft National Water Metro Policy 2026 for inter-ministerial consultations to develop a nationwide framework for urban water transport systems. The initiative aims to replicate the success of the Kochi Water Metro and promote sustainable, affordable, and multimodal connectivity in major Indian cities.
Major Highlights
- Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal chaired a high-level review meeting on May 18, 2026, regarding the Draft National Water Metro Policy.
- The proposed policy seeks to establish urban water-based transport systems across 18 identified Indian cities to reduce road congestion and improve sustainable mobility.
- Under Phase I of the rollout, cities such as Guwahati, Srinagar, Patna, Varanasi, Ayodhya, and Prayagraj have been selected, and feasibility reports for these locations have already been accepted.
- Phase II is proposed to include additional cities such as Tezpur and Dibrugarh as part of the wider inland water transport expansion plan.
- The policy is designed to scale up the Kochi Water Metro model, which is considered a more economical and less land-intensive alternative to conventional metro rail systems.
- Proposed water metro systems will utilize existing navigable waterways, thereby reducing the need for extensive civil construction and minimizing land acquisition challenges.
- A key provision of the draft policy mandates the use of electric and hybrid ferries to promote environmentally sustainable and low-emission urban transport.
- The Minister emphasized that terminal infrastructure should reflect India’s maritime heritage and local architectural identity by incorporating regionally appropriate materials and designs.
- The framework also calls for comprehensive landscape studies and active public participation, especially involving students and local communities, to build awareness about inland waterways and sustainable mobility.
- The Ministry has shared the draft policy with State Governments and other ministries for suggestions before finalization of the national guidelines.
Important Terms
- Kochi Water Metro: India’s first integrated urban water transport project using electric ferries and water-based transit systems in Kochi, Kerala.
- Inland Waterways: Navigable rivers, canals, lakes, and backwaters used for transportation, trade, and passenger movement within a country.
- Green Urban Mobility: Sustainable urban transportation systems that reduce pollution, traffic congestion, and carbon emissions through environmentally friendly technologies.
