Draft National Water Metro Policy Proposes Water Transport in 18 Cities

The Draft National Water Metro Policy, 2026, proposes setting up water-based urban transport networks across 18 major Indian cities. The policy is being reviewed under the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways. Its aim is to provide eco-friendly and low-cost public transport by using rivers, lakes and other inland waterways.

The project will be rolled out in phases. The first cities planned include Guwahati, Srinagar, Patna and Varanasi — all located near rivers or large water bodies. The policy is inspired by the success of the Kochi Water Metro in Kerala, which was India’s first modern water-based metro system.

The policy promotes the use of electric and hybrid ferries to cut pollution. It also focuses on multimodal integration, meaning water transport will connect smoothly with buses, trains and metro rail so that people can switch between them easily. A key advantage is lower cost, as building a water metro is cheaper than constructing a conventional rail-based metro.

By encouraging clean public transport, the policy supports India’s goals of reducing pollution and meeting sustainable development targets. It can also ease traffic congestion in crowded cities that sit beside rivers and lakes.

For exam aspirants, the key facts are: the policy covers 18 cities, it falls under the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways, and it draws on the model of the Kochi Water Metro.