Guwahati, May 18: The Centre has advanced plans to launch Water Metro services in Guwahati as part of the first phase of a nationwide rollout aimed at transforming urban transport through inland waterways, Union Minister for Ports, Shipping and Waterways Sarbananda Sonowal announced on Monday.
The proposed Phase I rollout will also cover Srinagar, Patna, Varanasi, Ayodhya and Prayagraj, while Assam’s Tezpur and Dibrugarh have been included in Phase II of the ambitious project.
Chairing a review meeting on the proposed rollout, Sonowal said the Ministry has circulated the Draft National Water Metro Policy, 2026 for inter-ministerial consultations, signalling the Centre’s push to establish a national framework for water-based urban mobility.
The initiative is being developed on the model of the successful Kochi Water Metro and aims to create sustainable and modern public transport systems using existing navigable waterways.
“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 electric and hybrid ferries, the system offers a viable and eco-friendly alternative to conventional urban transport,” Sonowal said.
He added that the projects are expected to ease urban congestion while offering a scenic and comfortable commuting experience.
According to the Ministry, Water Metro systems are being envisioned as mass public transport solutions for both daily commuters and tourists, operating across navigable waterways with integrated terminals, charging infrastructure, passenger amenities and navigational systems.
The Minister said projects would be prioritised in cities with suitable waterways, populations above one million and strong transport demand, especially in tourism corridors. However, exceptions may be made for regions where the projects can improve connectivity to remote or flood-prone areas.
The Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI) had tasked Kochi Metro Rail Limited with conducting feasibility studies for 18 cities earlier this year. Draft feasibility reports for Guwahati, Srinagar, Patna, Varanasi and Ayodhya have already been accepted, while site visits have been completed for all identified locations.
Sonowal also stressed the need to preserve regional identity in the design of terminals and infrastructure, calling for the use of local materials and landscape-sensitive architecture.
The Ministry is considering multiple funding models for the projects, including Centre-State partnerships, PPP models and fully government-funded initiatives.
Also Read: Manipur crisis: Church leaders launch peace mission to defuse Kuki-Naga tensions
Also Watch
Find latest news from every corner of Northeast India at hubnetwork.in, your online source for breaking news, video coverage.
Also, Follow us on
Twitter-twitter.com/nemediahub
Youtube channel- www.youtube.com/@NortheastMediaHub2020
Instagram- www.instagram.com/ne_media_hub
Download our app from playstore – Northeast Media Hub
