The Maharashtra government has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Zoya Marine Services to establish a Rs 150-crore electric boat manufacturing facility in Sindhudurg district, strengthening the state’s efforts to support the proposed Mumbai Water Metro project and promote green maritime transport.
The agreement was signed on July 9 at Mantralaya in the presence of Ports and Fisheries Minister Nitesh Rane.
The manufacturing unit will be developed on nearly 22 acres of land at Talawane in Sawantwadi taluka of Sindhudurg. The facility will produce environmentally friendly, technologically advanced electric boats that will be deployed for the Mumbai Water Metro project, which has an estimated investment of Rs 6,067 crore and is expected to begin operations by December 2026.
Speaking on the occasion, Rane said the state government, under the leadership of Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, is working to attract large-scale investments in Maharashtra’s maritime sector.
He said the new facility would not only manufacture modern vessels for the Water Metro but also strengthen the state’s maritime economy by generating employment opportunities for local youth and encouraging the adoption of advanced shipbuilding technologies.
The proposed Mumbai Water Metro aims to create an extensive water-based public transport network spanning around 250 kilometres. The project will connect key locations, including Mumbai Port, Vasai, Thane, Navi Mumbai, Bandra, Worli and Panvel through 21 routes, supported by 49 terminals and a fleet of 207 boats.
The Water Metro project will be implemented jointly by Kochi Metro Rail Limited and the Maharashtra Maritime Board. Construction is planned to be carried out in three phases, with the overall project scheduled for completion between 2029 and 2036.
The upcoming manufacturing hub is also expected to boost Maharashtra’s shipbuilding ecosystem while promoting sustainable marine mobility. During the meeting, discussions focused on project execution, investment opportunities, technical collaboration, skill development, employment generation and the long-term growth of the state’s maritime industry.
Source: Swarajya
