The Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways (MoPS&W) on June 24, 2026, issued the Draft National Water Metro Guidelines, 2026.
The following has been stated:-
•The Draft Water Metro Guidelines aim to establish Water Metro systems as a sustainable and integrated mode of public transport by utilizing existing waterways such as rivers, canals, lakes, backwaters, and coastal waters.
•These systems are intended to provide safe, reliable, affordable, and environmentally friendly mobility solutions while reducing road congestion and improving connectivity.
•The guidelines encourage the use of electric, solar-assisted, hybrid, and other low-emission vessels to minimize the carbon footprint of urban transportation.
•They also promote standardized vessel designs, high safety and service-quality standards, modern navigation systems, and efficient operations to ensure a consistent passenger experience.
•In addition, the framework supports indigenous vessel manufacturing, economies of scale through standardization, and coordinated implementation by the Centre and States/UTs, thereby integrating water-based transport into India’s broader urban mobility ecosystem.
All comments/suggestions/inputs may be given within 7 days.
The detailed notification is given in the document below.
[Notification No.: SIP-0 411 12026-SIP (1)]
