- By Soumyaroop Mukherjee
- Sun, 02 Nov 2025 04:22 PM (IST)
- Source:JND
The state government of Jammu and Kashmir has signed a Rs 900 crore MoU with the Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI) to develop an inland water metro on the Dal Lake and the Jhelum river. “The water transport project is aimed at easing Srinagar’s growing traffic congestion, will promote sustainability, and provide eco-friendly mobility. It is modelled on the Kochi Water Metro, CM Omar Abdullah said.
According to The Times of India, the proposed Water Metro project plans to introduce electric-hybrid boats operating on five routes with 10 terminals across Dal Lake and two routes with eight terminals along the Jhelum River. The service aims to provide passengers with a clean, efficient, and quiet mode of transport, easing road congestion while reducing pollution in the fragile Himalayan ecosystem.
Regional Transport Officer, Kashmir, Qazi Irfan, said the government will offer administrative and logistical assistance. “It will also ensure efficient first- and last-mile connectivity, integrating the Water Metro into the broader urban transport ecosystem of J&K,” he added.
Meanwhile, the IWAI will extend its technical support and supervision, management of waterways and navigation equipment, along with the organisation of training initiatives for inland water transport staff. The governmental body is also responsible for ensuring safe navigation and implementation of advanced operational practices.
KMRL Starts Feasibility Study For Alappuzha Water Metro
After the success of the Kochi Water Metro, the Kochi Metro Rail Ltd (KMRL) has begun the feasibility study to develop an urban water transport system in Alappuzha. A senior KMRL official stated that an expert team had visited Alappuzha to assess the feasibility of introducing a water transport system. The official added that the primary focus would be on catering to tourists who visit the region, known for its scenic lagoons and serene backwaters.
The proposed network is expected to cover tourist destinations including Kumarakom, Muhamma, and Pathiramanal, a small island on Vembanad Lake renowned for its rare migratory bird sightings, quoted the New Indian Express.
“These are lengthy routes compared to those in Kochi. But then we won’t be using the exact boats, but those with higher battery capacity. We will decide on the vessels based on route requirements. The water metro will offer a safe, efficient, and environmentally friendly travel option,” the official pointed out.