Maharashtra has accelerated plans for the proposed Mumbai Water Metro project as part of a larger push towards sustainable urban mobility aimed at reducing pressure on the region’s congested road and rail transport systems.
Earlier this week, the Maharashtra Maritime Board signed a memorandum of understanding with Norway-based maritime technology company Hyke AS for the implementation of the project. The agreement focuses on supplying advanced vessels for urban water transport and exploring the possibility of establishing shipbuilding facilities in Maharashtra.
Speaking after the signing ceremony, Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said the initiative would mark a new phase in environmentally sustainable and modern water transport infrastructure in India.
According to the state government, planning for sustainable water-based transport infrastructure has been underway for nearly a decade as part of a wider mobility strategy for the Mumbai Metropolitan Region. Authorities believe improved utilisation of Mumbai’s coastal routes and creek networks could help ease growing traffic congestion while offering a cleaner public transport alternative.
Under the proposed framework, the detailed project report has been prepared through Kochi Metro Rail Limited. The plan includes the upgradation of 24 terminals across 21 existing water transport routes and the construction of 21 additional terminals on 10 new routes across the MMR.
Maharashtra Fisheries and Ports Minister Nitesh Rane said the partnership with Hyke AS represents a major step towards strengthening the state’s maritime ecosystem and could support future growth in shipbuilding, port infrastructure and maritime skill development.
Hyke AS, which specialises in modern vessels designed for urban water mobility systems, has also shown interest in setting up shipbuilding operations within Maharashtra as part of its long-term association with the project.
The state government believes the Mumbai Water Metro model could eventually become a reference point for other Indian cities looking to adopt sustainable urban transport systems based on waterways.
Source: Prop News Time
