Kashmir Impulse Desk

Srinagar, May 19

The Centre plans to introduce water metro services in 18 cities, including Srinagar in Jammu and Kashmir, as part of the first phase of a national urban waterways transport programme, Union Minister for Ports, Shipping and Waterways Sarbananda Sonowal said on Tuesday.

Chairing a review meeting on the proposed rollout, Sonowal said cities identified for the initial phase include Guwahati, Srinagar, Patna, Varanasi, Ayodhya and Prayagraj.

The ministry has also circulated a draft National Water Metro Policy, 2026, for inter-ministerial consultations, signalling plans to establish a nationwide framework for water-based urban transport systems.

The proposed Srinagar project follows a memorandum of understanding signed in October 2025 between the Jammu and Kashmir government and the Inland Waterways Authority of India to develop a Rs 900-crore water metro network across Dal Lake and the Jhelum River.

Chief Minister Omar Abdullah had said at the time that the Srinagar Water Metro, modelled on the Kochi system, aimed to improve connectivity, reduce traffic congestion and promote sustainable urban transport.

He said that a similar project was also being planned for Jammu, including areas such as Akhnoor and Reasi.

In March 2025, the Inland Waterways Authority of India signed another agreement with the Jammu and Kashmir government to promote river cruise tourism on three national waterways in the region.

The agreement was signed during a government event in Srinagar attended by Sonowal and Minister of State for Ports, Shipping and Waterways Shantanu Thakur.

The waterways authority had appointed Kochi Metro Rail Limited in February 2025 to conduct feasibility studies for water metro projects in 18 cities.

According to the ministry, site visits have been completed for all proposed locations. Draft feasibility reports have been submitted for 17 cities, with Lakshadweep pending.

Reports for Srinagar, Patna, Guwahati, Varanasi, and Ayodhya have already been approved.

Sonowal said the initiative was based on the experience of the Kochi Water Metro and aimed to transform inland waterways into sustainable public transport corridors.

“The proposed water metro systems are significantly less capital intensive as they utilise existing waterways with minimal civil infrastructure,” Sonowal said, adding that electric and hybrid ferries would help reduce operational costs and urban congestion while offering cleaner transport alternatives.

He said the proposed systems would cater to both commuters and tourism, operate across navigable waterways and prioritise green technologies and multimodal connectivity.

Under the draft policy, water metro projects would be prioritised in cities with populations exceeding 10 lakh and suitable waterways, although criteria could be relaxed for projects improving access to remote areas or strengthening flood resilience, Sonowal said.

The minister said that the projects would follow an integrated development model covering vessels, terminals, charging infrastructure, navigational systems and passenger facilities, with funding options including Centre-state partnerships, public-private partnerships, and fully state-funded or federally funded models.