Kochi Metro chosen to prepare detailed project report for Mumbai water metro project

Commissioned in 2023, the Kochi Water Metro was the first of its kind service in India, consisting of a passenger boat service integrated with a metro rail network

Written by Shaju Philip

Thiruvananthapuram | Updated: September 13, 2025 07:10 AM IST

2 min read

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The assignment is expected to open up significant opportunities for KMRL’s consultancy division, while also creating an additional stream of non-ticket revenue for the company.

The Maharashtra government has selected Kochi Metro Rail Limited (KMRL) to prepare a detailed project report (DPR) for Mumbai’s proposed water metro project.

An official communication from KMRL said the DPR would be built upon an earlier feasibility study done by its consultancy wing, which had explored water metro connectivity across the Mumbai Metropolitan Region. “The proposed network spans key water bodies, such as Vaitarna, Vasai, Manori, Thane, Panvel, and Karanja, envisaging extensive commuter connectivity for India’s financial capital,” it said.

KMRL managing director Loknath Behera described the task of preparing a DPR for Mumbai’s water metro project as a challenging one, spanning a diverse terrain of canals, backwaters, port waters and sea routes. “Our expertise from Kochi’s pioneering Water Metro is now being extended to create sustainable mobility solutions for other cities. The Mumbai Water Metro project will boost intermodal connectivity by integrating rail, road, and river transport. The DPR will be submitted by the end of this year,” he said.

He said the Mumbai project would cover nearly 250 km of waterways, with 29 terminals and 10 proposed routes. The assignment is expected to open up significant opportunities for KMRL’s consultancy division, while also creating an additional stream of non-ticket revenue for the company.

Beyond Mumbai, KMRL is already engaged in multiple inland water transport studies across India. Acting on directions from the Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI), the agency has taken up feasibility studies for water metros in 18 cities across 11 states and two Union Territories. “Reports for Patna and Srinagar have been submitted, while studies for Ahmedabad and Guwahati are nearing completion. These reports will be evaluated by the IWAI, paving the way for future DPR preparation,” said Shaji P Janardhanan, chief general manager, Water Transport, Kochi Metro.

Commissioned in 2023, the Kochi Water Metro was the first of its kind service in India, in which a passenger boat service is integrated with a metro rail network. The boats are battery-powered, air-conditioned and disability-friendly. They also have enhanced safety and security measures, according to officials.

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