Residents across the Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR) are expected to access Water Metro services connecting Nariman Point, Bandra, and Versova by 2028, Maharashtra Minister for Fisheries and Ports Development Nitesh Rane said during The Hindu’s Maharashtra Infrastructure Conclave 2026.
Sharing updates on the State’s maritime infrastructure plans, Rane said the Water Metro project had reached an advanced stage of planning. “We are currently in the finalisation stage, the Detailed Project Report (DPR) on Water Metro has been submitted, and MoUs [Memoranda of Understanding ] have been signed, the process of shortlisting land is underway,” he said, adding that the proposed network would also be linked to the upcoming Navi Mumbai International Airport.
According to the Minister, authorities have identified six to eight routes and nearly 21 to 22 stations under the MMR Water Metro network. He said the State government had studied water transport systems in Sweden and the Netherlands while preparing the roadmap for Mumbai and the surrounding regions. Around 250 electric boats are planned to operate across the network.
The Water Metro initiative aims to develop inland waterways into an alternative mode of urban public transport.
Speaking about the maritime sector, Rane said Maharashtra was focusing on expanding shipbuilding and ship-repair activities in line with India’s economic growth ambitions. “The maritime journey has moved from Europe to the Asian side. China, South Korea, and Japan are leading the way, and we as a country are at 0.1%. So that’s where we need to take off from and develop the shipbuilding and ship-repair sector,” he said.
He added that the State was in discussions with several international companies, including the Swedish electric-boat manufacturer Candela, regarding electric-vessel operations and trials.
Calling the proposed Vadhvan Port a “game-changer”, Rane said the project would generate employment opportunities for local communities through skill development programmes.
Addressing concerns related to Sassoon Dock, he said the government was working with Finland and expanding fisheries schemes to support fishing communities across Maharashtra.
Source: The Hindu
