India Drafts National Water Metro Policy for 18 Cities

The Government of India is working on a plan to introduce water metro systems in 18 cities across the country. The Union Ports, Shipping and Waterways Ministry has released a draft National Water Metro Policy for inter-ministerial consultation.

The initiative builds on the operational experience of the Kochi Water Metro system. The proposed rollout aims to strengthen urban mobility using inland waterways as sustainable transport corridors.

National Water Metro Policy and Planning

The draft National Water Metro Policy has been circulated to various ministries for consultation before a national rollout. The policy seeks to establish a framework for developing water-based urban transport systems across cities with navigable waterways.

It focuses on integrating waterways with existing urban transport networks to improve connectivity. The approach is designed to standardise implementation while allowing flexibility based on local conditions.

Phase-Wise Rollout Across Cities

The ministry has outlined a phased approach for implementing water metro systems. In the first phase, cities such as Srinagar, Patna, Varanasi, Ayodhya, and Prayagraj have been identified.

The second phase includes Tezpur and Dibrugarh in Assam. The selection of cities takes into account geographic suitability, transport demand, and the presence of navigable waterways.

Key Features And Operational Benefits

The proposed water metro systems are expected to offer several operational and economic advantages. These include:

• Lower capital investment due to the use of existing waterways
• Reduced land acquisition requirements compared to road or rail projects

Feasibility Studies and Implementation Status

The Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI) has partnered with Kochi Metro Rail Limited to conduct feasibility studies for the identified cities. These studies assess transport demand, financial viability, and integration with other modes of transport.

Site visits have been completed for all 18 cities under consideration. Draft feasibility reports have been submitted for 17 locations, while the report for Lakshadweep is still pending.

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Conclusion

The proposed water metro initiative represents an effort to expand sustainable urban transport using inland waterways. By leveraging existing natural infrastructure, the plan aims to reduce congestion and improve connectivity in urban areas.

The phased rollout and feasibility assessments indicate a structured approach to implementation. The final policy framework will depend on inter-ministerial consultations and further evaluation of project viability.

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