Sun Apr 27 03:28:40 UTC 2025: ## Mumbai to Get Kochi-Style Water Metro
**Mumbai, Maharashtra – April 27, 2025** – Maharashtra is set to launch an ambitious water metro project, modeled after Kochi’s successful system. Ports Minister Nitesh Rane announced that a detailed project report (DPR) is expected by the end of the month, outlining a 50/50 equity partnership between the state government and the Union government to implement the project.
The water metro aims to alleviate traffic congestion on Mumbai’s roads and suburban railways by utilizing the city’s extensive waterways, currently underutilized despite Mumbai’s island composition. Battery-powered ferries will connect various parts of the Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR), offering an eco-friendly and scenic commute. Potential routes include connections between Narangi-Kharwadeswari, Vasai-Mira Bhayander, and several other key locations across the Vaitarna River, Vasai, Thane, Manori, and Panvel creeks, and Mumbai Port Trust waters.
The project envisions a two-phase rollout, starting with a water metro system and later incorporating a roll-on/roll-off (Ro-Ro) service. The initiative will focus on improving last-mile connectivity and includes plans for access road development. Mr. Rane highlighted the project’s tourism potential, suggesting the development of Vasai Fort as a tourist destination and the creation of a tourism circuit encompassing various forts, birdwatching centers, and theme parks. The project will also address the need for regular cleaning of waterways.
Further integration with other transportation modes is planned, with a water metro terminal to be constructed near the upcoming Navi Mumbai airport, which is slated to feature India’s first water taxi service. A meeting between CIDCO, the Maharashtra Maritime Board, and the state ports ministry is scheduled to finalize the DPR. The Kochi Water Metro is providing technical assistance for the Mumbai project.
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