STN: Kochi Metro Rail Limited (KMRL) has secured a consultancy contract to prepare the Detailed Project Report (DPR) for the Mumbai Water Metro Project. The contract, worth ₹4.4 crore, was awarded by the Government of Maharashtra through a competitive bidding process.
The project is designed on the lines of the Kochi Water Metro, India’s first water-based urban transport system.
Scope of the Mumbai Water Metro Project
The Mumbai Water Metro Project will cover nearly 250 km of waterways. It will connect different parts of the Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR) through 29 terminals and 10 routes. The system aims to provide a dependable, affordable, and environment-friendly transport option.
Routes will pass through canals, port waters, backwaters, and coastal stretches. This network is expected to reduce congestion on roads and ease daily travel for commuters.
Kochi Metro’s Role in Urban Transport
With this assignment, Kochi Metro joins the list of leading metro consultants in India. The Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) has long been seen as the benchmark in metro consultancy. Now, KMRL is stepping into a similar role for water-based transport.
Loknath Behera, Managing Director of KMRL, said that their experience in setting up India’s first water metro in Kochi will help them guide Mumbai in building this new system.
Building on Previous Studies
KMRL had earlier conducted a feasibility study for waterways in the Mumbai Metropolitan Region. The upcoming DPR will be based on those findings and will define routes, terminals, infrastructure, and operational requirements.
Expanding Consultancy Services
KMRL’s consultancy division is also working on feasibility studies for water metro projects in 18 cities across 11 states and 2 union territories. These studies are being done in partnership with the Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI).
Reports for Patna and Srinagar are already submitted. Work for Ahmedabad and Guwahati is nearing completion. Once approved by IWAI, KMRL will prepare DPRs for these projects as well.
Future of Water-Based Transport
Experts believe that the Mumbai Water Metro Project can set a strong example for other cities. If successful, it may position KMRL as a national and even international leader in water-based transport. The model, first implemented in Kochi, could become a scalable solution for sustainable urban mobility.
FAQs on Mumbai Water Metro Project
A: A DPR is a detailed plan that defines the scope, routes, infrastructure, cost estimates, and timelines for a project. It is the foundation on which the project is built.
A: The funding structure has not been finalized. Large urban transport projects are usually financed through a mix of state government funds, central government support, and external loans.
A: Exact figures for Mumbai are not yet available. In Kochi, the water metro is designed to carry thousands of commuters every day, and a similar scale is expected for Mumbai.
A: The timeline will be clear only after the DPR is completed and approved. Large-scale urban transport projects usually take several years to become operational.
A: A feasibility study checks if the project is possible and practical. A DPR goes deeper, providing technical details, cost analysis, and step-by-step execution plans.
