Guwahati, 19 May (HS): Guwahati has been officially selected for the Phase-I rollout of the Centre’s ambitious Water Metro project, Union Minister for Ports, Shipping and Waterways Sarbananda Sonowal has informed media persons after Brahmputra board meeting on Tuesday in Guwahati. Inspired by the successful Kochi Water Metro model, the eco-friendly initiative aims to transform urban transportation by easing road congestion and promoting sustainable mobility through waterways.

Under the first phase of the project, Guwahati has been included alongside cities such as Srinagar, Patna, Varanasi, Ayodhya and Prayagraj. In Assam, Tezpur and Dibrugarh have also been proposed for inclusion in the second phase of the programme.

The Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways has already circulated the Draft National Water Metro Policy, 2026, which seeks to establish uniform standards for vessel design, charging infrastructure and safety mechanisms across the country. The policy also places strong emphasis on the adoption of electric and hybrid ferries for environmentally sustainable public transport.

As part of the implementation process, the Inland Waterways Authority of India had entrusted Kochi Metro Rail Limited with conducting feasibility studies across 18 locations nationwide. Officials confirmed that the feasibility report prepared for Guwahati has already been reviewed and accepted.

The Water Metro system is expected to offer a cost-effective alternative to conventional metro rail projects, as it makes use of existing navigable waterways and requires comparatively lower civil infrastructure and capital investment. The project is also expected to improve connectivity and provide a major boost to urban mobility in Guwahati.-----------

Hindusthan Samachar / Sriprakash