Sarbananda Sonowal Reviews Kochi Water Metro for Nationwide Expansion
Union Minister of Ports, Shipping, and Waterways, Shri Sarbananda Sonowal, reviewed the operations of the Kochi Water Metro to evaluate its potential for replication in 24 cities across India, including Guwahati, Dibrugarh, and Tezpur in Assam. The Ministry has approved a Technical Feasibility Study for these cities, aiming to expand water-based transit solutions nationwide.
The Union Minister said, “The success of the Kochi Water Metro is a shining testament to India’s ability to blend tradition with innovation. It demonstrates how clean, comfortable, and efficient water-based transport can transform the way people commute in urban spaces. Inspired by this achievement, our ministry has approved technical feasibility studies in 24 cities across the country—including Guwahati, Dibrugarh, and Tezpur in Assam—to explore the replication of this model.”
“Before 2014, our rivers were overlooked and left in ruins. It is under the visionary leadership of Prime Minister Modi that we have reclaimed the lost glory of India’s riverways,” he added. “The Water Metro is a testament to this transformation—it provides an economical, comfortable, environmentally friendly, and modern travel experience that reflects the government’s commitment to green and inclusive growth.”
Elaborating on the Water Metro project, Shri Sarbananda Sonowal said, “This initiative will pave the way for a modern and sustainable public transport system that not only reduces traffic congestion and pollution but also reconnects our people with the country’s historic waterways. Rooted in our civilisational legacy of river navigation, the Water Metro concept is designed to meet the demands of today—with cutting-edge technology, top-notch safety protocols, and commuter-friendly amenities that make every journey efficient and enjoyable. The expansion of Water Metro services aims to provide last-mile connectivity, ease of travel, and an environmentally friendly alternative to traditional transport—setting the stage for a greener and more inclusive future of urban mobility in India.”
The Water Metro, the first of its kind in India, integrates water transport with the city’s urban mobility systems and is being considered a model for future projects across the country. The proposed expansion through techno-feasibility studies aims to boost connectivity, reduce road congestion, and promote sustainable transit in key urban centres.
