Kochi Metro Wins Contract to Draft DPR for Mumbai Water Metro Project.

The Kochi Metro Rail Limited (KMRL) has been awarded a ₹4.4 crore contract by the Maharashtra government to prepare the Detailed Project Report (DPR) for the proposed Mumbai Water Metro. This new project is modeled after Kochi’s own successful Water Metro system, which has been widely acclaimed.

The contract was secured through a competitive tender process, marking a significant step for KMRL's consultancy wing. "Kochi Metro has entered the league of national-level consultancies, similar to the pioneering role played by Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) in the metro rail sector," a KMRL statement said.

The DPR will build upon a previous feasibility study conducted by KMRL, which explored the potential for a water metro network across the Mumbai Metropolitan Region. The proposed system is set to connect key waterways, including Vaitarna, Vasai, Manori, Thane, Panvel, and Karanja, aiming to provide extensive commuter connectivity for India’s financial capital.

Expanding Expertise

Loknath Behera, Managing Director of KMRL, highlighted the significance of the project. "Kochi Metro has taken on the very challenging responsibility of preparing detailed plans for implementing the Water Metro in Mumbai, across a diverse terrain of canals, backwaters, port waters and sea routes," Behera said. He added that the expertise gained from Kochi’s pioneering project is now being leveraged to create sustainable mobility solutions for other cities.

The DPR is scheduled for submission by the end of this year, with the aim of enabling the Maharashtra government to begin work in 2026. According to KMRL, the Mumbai project will span nearly 250 km of waterways, with 29 terminals and 10 proposed routes.

This new assignment is expected to generate a significant stream of non-ticket revenue for KMRL, further boosting its consultancy division.

Beyond Mumbai, KMRL is also conducting inland water transport studies for the Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI) in 18 cities across 11 states and two Union Territories. Reports for Patna and Srinagar have already been submitted, while studies for Ahmedabad and Guwahati are nearing completion, paving the way for future DPRs.