Water metro: Kochi model explored for rollout in 18 Indian cities; KMRL submits feasibility report

Kochi: Kochi Metro Rail Ltd (KMRL) on Saturday said it has submitted a comprehensive feasibility study report for implementing water metro systems in multiple Indian cities, a move that could reshape urban water transport across the country.

In a release, KMRL said the central government had entrusted the agency with examining the feasibility of replicating the Kochi Water Metro model in several cities. The decision followed strong public acceptance of the project and the international attention it has attracted.

“In November last year, the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways requested KMRL to conduct feasibility studies for Water Metro projects in 18 locations across India.

“The KMRL team conducted extensive field visits, surveys and technical assessments across the country and submitted the feasibility reports to the Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI) in record time,” the release said.

Studies conducted across 11 states and two UTs

According to KMRL, feasibility studies were carried out across 18 locations spanning 11 states and two Union Territories. The assessment covered diverse waterways including rivers, canals, backwaters, coastal waters and port waters.

Cities where the studies have been completed include Srinagar, Guwahati, Tezpur, Dibrugarh, Patna, Varanasi, Ayodhya, Prayagraj, Cuttack, Ahmedabad, Surat, Goa, Mangaluru, Kollam, Alappuzha and Andaman and Nicobar Islands.

The feasibility studies for Lakshadweep and Kolkata are currently in progress.

“These studies evaluate the potential for introducing modern, sustainable water metro systems in diverse hydrological environments across the country,” the KMRL release said.

Proposed routes and infrastructure in Kerala cities

The report also detailed possible networks in Kerala districts.

For Alappuzha, eight potential routes were examined. The study found that 15 terminals and 61 electric boats would be required to operate across 87.77 kilometres of waterways in the coastal district.

In Kollam, the feasibility assessment estimated that 35 boats and 15 terminals would be needed to run services across around 35 kilometres of waterways.

KMRL said the Kochi Water Metro project has already demonstrated that sustainable, technology-driven water transport can function as a viable urban mobility solution.

Mumbai water metro DPR submitted

KMRL Managing Director Loknath Behera said the nationwide feasibility study reflects growing recognition of the Kochi model.

“The submission of these feasibility reports marks the beginning of a larger national journey. KMRL is proud to share its expertise and contribute to building a new ecosystem for clean, efficient and integrated water-based public transport across India,” he is quoted as having said in the release. 

He further said that if KMRL was entrusted with further project preparation and implementation in other cities, it has the potential to evolve into a national and global centre of excellence in urban water mobility.

In Maharashtra, KMRL completed the feasibility study and submitted a Detailed Project Report (DPR) to the state government for implementing a water metro system across the Mumbai Metropolitan Region.

The study in Mumbai covered 250 kilometres of waterways and proposed 21 routes, 49 terminals and 207 boats.

KMRL secured the consultancy contract for the Mumbai project through an open tender floated by the Maharashtra government. The studies generated consultancy revenue of ₹8 crore for the agency, the release said.