Mumbai’s Water Metro Wave: Eco-Ferries Set to Make City Commute a Thrilling Voyage

Mumbai will revolutionize its transportation scenario with the inauguration of a Kochi-like Water Metro to relieve congestion, reduce travel time, and spur tourism in the Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR). Taking cue from the success of the Kochi Water Metro, the Maharashtra government will unveil battery-operated ferries connecting 21 important destinations through creeks, rivers, and waters of the Mumbai Port Trust.

 

Key Highlights:

 

Planned Routes & Stations: The first phase will include 15 new jetties and eight main routes, including:

 

Narangi–Kharwadeswari

 

Vasai–Mira Bhayander–Fountain Jetty–Gaimukh–Nagale

 

Kolshet–Kalher–Mumbra–Kalyan

 

Kalyan–Mumbra–Mulund–Airoli–Vashi–DTC–Gateway of India

 

Mulund–Airoli–DTC–Gateway of India

 

Mira Bhayander–Vasai–Borivali–Nariman Point–Mandwa

 

Belapur–Gateway–Mandwa

 

Borivali–Nariman Point

 

Travel Time & Connectivity: Water taxis and ferries will cut travel times by a huge margin-Vasai to south Mumbai could be reduced from over two hours by road to under 50 minutes by water.

 

Tourism & Urban Influence: The initiative will develop a tourism circuit that links forts, bird-watching facilities, and other sites of interest, with a dedicated terminal to be situated close to the new Navi Mumbai airport.

 

Implementation & Schedule: The report is due mid-2025, with phase one completion in early 2026. Two phases will bring the project, with roll-on/roll-off (Ro-Ro) operations and water ambulances being included later on.

 

Mumbai’s Water Metro promises a greener, faster, and more scenic commute, setting a new benchmark for urban mobility.

 

Source: Economic Times, India Today, Indian Express