Mumbai is poised to launch a major transition in urban mobility with a phased rollout of an expansive passenger water transport system. Backed by a comprehensive feasibility study, the city aims to operationalise a network of 10 inland and coastal waterway routes serviced by 75 eco-friendly boats and 29 modern jetty terminals, potentially within 28 months from the time of contract finalisation and regulatory approvals.
The plan, jointly reviewed by the Maharashtra Maritime Board (MMB) and Kochi Metro Rail Ltd (KMRL), envisions carrying between 1 crore to 1.63 crore passengers annually by 2031, assuming a minimum of 100 passengers per vessel. The project aligns with Mumbai’s broader strategy to ease congestion, cut emissions, and introduce multimodal transport options that are both sustainable and scalable.
The feasibility study identifies the Vasai–Marve–Nariman Point corridor (Route 6) as the most economically viable stretch, spanning 61 kilometres across suburban and south Mumbai. It is followed by Route 9, which links Belapur to Gateway of India via Mandwa — a key corridor for connecting Navi Mumbai and the under-construction international airport to south Mumbai and Alibaug.Other routes, such as Vasai to Nagale via Mira-Bhayandar and Kalher to Gateway via Mulund, Airoli and Vashi, have also shown potential with an internal rate of return of around 20%. These routes could offer reliable alternatives to overburdened road and rail infrastructure if implemented with strong integration to existing transport hubs.
However, the study notes that not all routes will be commercially viable in the initial stages. For Route 7, a viability gap funding of nearly 60% is recommended to make operations sustainable. Routes 1, 8, and 10 are also flagged as challenging under current conditions and may require revised planning or deferred implementation.In response to early findings, the state’s ports and waterways department has directed the MMB to incorporate additional terminals at high-footfall locations such as Juhu, Bandra, Versova, Mahim, Worli and Kandivli. These upgrades are intended to draw commuters away from road congestion and offer practical alternatives for short- to medium-distance travel.
The final Detailed Project Report (DPR), being drafted based on the current study, will detail financial, technical, and environmental contours of the phased rollout. It is expected to take at least one year for the DPR to be completed, clearances to be secured, and private partners to be engaged through tendering.With the Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR) projected to host nearly 27 million people by 2025, the need for decentralised and decongested transport systems is more urgent than ever. The city’s vast network of creeks and rivers — currently underutilised — offers a unique opportunity to establish an alternative transport grid using its 6,328 sq km expanse of interconnected waterways.
However, existing private boat operators have highlighted recurring challenges that could hinder full-scale implementation — including seasonal monsoon disruptions, inadequate dredging leading to siltation, tidal unpredictability, and interference from fishing activity. Former state transport officials have stressed the importance of integrating the waterway network with metro stations, suburban rail, buses and last-mile solutions like auto-rickshaws and feeder services.
If these integration points are resolved and service runs round the year, water transport could redefine Mumbai’s commuting culture — offering not just relief from gridlock but also ushering in a quieter, greener and more sustainable era of urban transit.
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