Earlier this week, the Maharashtra Maritime Board signed a memorandum of understanding with Norway-based maritime technology company Hyke AS for the implementation of the ambitious project. The agreement focuses on the supply of technologically advanced vessels for urban water transport and also explores the possibility of establishing shipbuilding facilities in Maharashtra.
Speaking after the signing ceremony, Devendra Fadnavis said the Mumbai Water Metro project would mark the beginning of a new era of modern and environmentally sustainable water transport in India.
The Chief Minister stated that the Maharashtra government has been working on sustainable water transport infrastructure for nearly a decade and has developed a broader mobility plan for Mumbai and the Mumbai Metropolitan Region. He said that improved utilisation of waterways in a densely populated metropolitan region such as Mumbai would help ease worsening traffic congestion while offering a cleaner and more efficient mode of transportation.
The project is designed to make better use of Mumbai's coastal stretches and creek networks to strengthen urban connectivity. The state government anticipates that demand for organised water-based public transport will rise significantly in the coming years as commuters seek faster and environmentally responsible alternatives.
According to the official project framework, the detailed project report for the Mumbai Water Metro has been prepared by Kochi Metro Rail Limited. The plan proposes the modernisation of 24 terminals across 21 existing water transport routes and the construction of 21 additional terminals on 10 new routes within the Mumbai Metropolitan Region.
Nitesh Rane described the collaboration with Hyke AS as a significant milestone in strengthening Maharashtra's maritime ecosystem. He said the partnership has the potential to drive broader development in port infrastructure, shipbuilding and maritime skill development.
Hyke AS, which specialises in the manufacture of advanced vessels for urban water mobility systems, has also expressed interest in setting up shipbuilding operations in Maharashtra as part of its long-term involvement in the project.
The Maharashtra government believes the Mumbai Water Metro can transform the region's transport landscape and eventually serve as a model for other Indian cities seeking sustainable alternatives to conventional urban transportation. If implemented as planned, the project could redefine how millions of commuters travel while positioning Maharashtra at the forefront of India's green mobility revolution.
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