Mumbai is moving closer to a large-scale shift in water-based public transport as the Maharashtra government accelerates plans for an electric water metro network and a major shipbuilding hub, signalling a renewed push towards low-carbon mobility and port-led urban growth across the region.
At a recent review of the state’s ports and maritime roadmap, the Chief Minister directed senior officials to fast-track a detailed project report for an electric water metro or water taxi system designed to exceed the scale and operational sophistication of similar initiatives elsewhere in the country. Officials involved in the planning said the project is being positioned not just as a transport alternative, but as a long-term urban mobility solution for a congested coastal metropolis. According to officials, the proposed network would span around 21 terminals and nearly 200 nautical miles, offering structured, scheduled water transport across the Mumbai Metropolitan Region. The state already records close to 18 million water transport passengers annually, with the majority concentrated in the Mumbai region, highlighting both latent demand and the limitations of the existing informal system. A senior transport official said a modern, integrated network could reduce pressure on roads and suburban rail while offering safer and cleaner commutes.
The transition to sustainability is central to the project’s design. Authorities have been asked to begin operations with new-generation vessels, including hybrid boats, before moving towards fully electric fleets. Urban mobility experts note that water transport, if electrified, can significantly cut emissions per passenger kilometre, especially in dense coastal cities where road expansion is increasingly constrained. Beyond passenger mobility, the state is also advancing its maritime industrial ambitions. Plans are underway to identify land and prepare a comprehensive proposal for a large shipyard aligned with the development of a new deep-draft port along Maharashtra’s coast. Industry analysts say this could anchor an ecosystem of shipbuilding, repair and allied manufacturing, creating skilled employment while strengthening domestic maritime capacity.
Connectivity infrastructure is being viewed as a critical enabler of this strategy. The government has instructed departments to initiate land acquisition for a key rail corridor linking the hinterland to multiple ports, aimed at improving freight movement and regional economic integration. Parallel road projects connecting port zones to industrial centres are also under review, with emphasis on planned development that balances growth with local environmental and social concerns. Urban planners argue that Mumbai’s embrace of electric water transport reflects a broader recalibration of city planning priorities. By leveraging natural waterways, cleaner propulsion technologies and integrated transport thinking, the city has an opportunity to advance towards more inclusive, resilient and climate-conscious urban mobility without disruptive land acquisition or carbon-intensive expansion.
Mumbai Pushes Electric Water Metro And Mega Shipyard By 2026 Under Fadnavis
