Kochi Water Metro success model to pave the way for 18 cities; feasibility report submitted

• Kochi Water Metro's success sparks nationwide feasibility studies
• 18 locations across 11 states and 2 UTs assessed for Water Metro
• Mumbai project proposes 250 km routes, 49 terminals, 207 boats

Did our AI summary help?

India may soon see a major shift in urban transport as the success of the Kochi Water Metro inspires similar projects across the country. Kochi Metro Rail Limited has submitted a detailed feasibility study to explore the possibility of introducing water-based metro systems in multiple cities across the country, PTI reported.

The feasibility study was prepared at the request of the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways, which asked KMRL to examine whether the Kochi Water Metro system could be replicated elsewhere, according to the report. The project in Kochi has become a successful example of eco-friendly and modern urban mobility.

Following this, the ministry assigned KMRL in November last year to conduct studies in 18 locations across the country. Using its experience from Kochi, the agency carried out field visits, surveys and technical assessments in a short period. The study reports were submitted to the Inland Waterways Authority of India, PTI reported.

According to KMRL Managing Director Loknath Behera, as quoted by PTI, the project shows that clean and technology-driven water transport can be a practical solution for urban travel. He added that the submission of these reports marks the beginning of a possible nationwide rollout.

18 locations across India studied

According to the study, feasibility assessments were conducted across 18 locations spanning 11 states and two Union Territories. Cities and regions examined include Srinagar, Guwahati, Tezpur, Dibrugarh, Patna, Varanasi, Ayodhya, Prayagraj, Cuttack, Ahmedabad, Surat, Goa, Mangaluru, Kollam, Alappuzha and the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, while studies are still ongoing in Lakshadweep and Kolkata, PTI reported.

The main goal was to assess whether Water Metro systems could work in different types of water bodies such as rivers, lakes, canals, seas and ports. Each location was studied based on its unique geography and transport needs.

In some cities, detailed route planning was also done. For example, Alappuzha could have eight routes covering nearly 88 kilometres, requiring 15 terminals and 61 electric boats. Similarly, Kollam may need around 35 boats and 15 terminals for about 35 kilometres of waterways, according to the PTI report.

Mumbai among key proposed projects

Separately, KMRL has also submitted a detailed project report to the Government of Maharashtra for a Water Metro project in the Mumbai Metropolitan Region. The plan includes connecting key water bodies such as Vaitarna, Vasai, Manori, Thane, Panvel and Karanj.

The proposed project covers about 250 kilometres of water routes, with 10 routes, 49 terminals and 207 boats. PTI, however, reported that the Mumbai study suggested 21 routes along the same network length, along with 49 terminals and 207 boats. Earlier, a feasibility report for the Mumbai Water Metro had already been submitted.

KMRL secured the consultancy work for this project through an open tender and earned about Rs 8 crore without affecting its ongoing projects.

According to the PTI report, experts believe that KMRL could play a role similar to the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation, which helped expand metro rail systems across India. With its growing expertise, KMRL may become a leading organisation in developing water-based urban transport both in India and globally.