The Maharashtra government has announced plans to launch a Water Metro on eight routes across the city.
According to Maharashtra Fishing and Ports Minister Nitesh Rane, operations are expected to begin by December 2026, pending the finalisation of a detailed project report by September 2025. Modelled after the Kochi Water Metro, which became operational in 2023, the Mumbai Water Metro project will be executed jointly by the Maharashtra government and the central government, with support from Kochi Metro Rail Limited (KMRL). The project is expected to feature electric hybrid boats, air-conditioned terminals, and integrated ticketing through the soon-to-be-launched Mumbai One card, which will cover buses, trains, metro, and water transport. Two routes have been prioritised: Nariman Point to Bandra and Bandra to Versova. The remaining six routes will be selected from a proposed list that includes options such as Vashi to Gateway of India, Borivali to Mandwa, and Kalyan to Airoli. The initiative also falls under the central Sagarmala scheme.
Rane confirmed that eight new jetties would be built to support the service, with locations planned at Dombivli, Kolshet, Kalher, Mira-Bhayander, Thane, Mulund, Airoli, and Vashi. Tenders have already been floated for some of these. The project aims to replicate Kochi’s model, which was developed at a cost of ₹747 crore with financial aid from the German Development Bank. Kochi’s Water Metro currently operates 78 hybrid electric boats across 38 terminals, equipped with facilities such as air conditioning, Wi-Fi, CCTV, and automated doors.
If implemented as planned, the Mumbai Water Metro could significantly ease congestion on the city’s road and rail networks while promoting sustainable urban mobility.
