Current Affairs - Places - Discussion

The Draft National Water Metro Policy, 2026, proposes the rollout of sustainable water-based urban mobility systems across 18 major Indian cities. The initiative, reviewed under the Ministry of Ports, Shipping & Waterways, aims to promote eco-friendly and cost-effective transportation using inland waterways. The project will be implemented in phases, beginning with cities such as Guwahati, Srinagar, Patna, and Varanasi. Inspired by the success of the Kochi Water Metro, the policy emphasises electric and hybrid ferries, multimodal integration, and reduced infrastructure costs compared to conventional metro systems. The initiative is expected to improve urban mobility while supporting green transportation and sustainable development goals.