Kolkata Set to Get Water Metro as West Bengal CM Unveils New Transit Project.

West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari recently announced that Kolkata will be integrated into the country’s water metro network, marking a major push toward strengthening river-based urban transport in the state.

The announcement was made at a press conference held at the state secretariat on June 4, 2026. It was followed by a meeting attended by Union Minister for Ports, Shipping and Waterways Sarbananda Sonowal and the Chief Minister, where discussions were held on positioning West Bengal as a maritime hub of eastern India.

Adhikari said the Kolkata Water Metro project will be developed under the Sagarmala 2.0 initiative and will involve large-scale development of jetties and related infrastructure. He added that project proposals worth ₹22,700 crore are being prepared for implementation over the next five years, with a focus on coastal fishing infrastructure, island development and broader maritime initiatives.

According to sources, the proposed water metro system is expected to gradually replace existing ferry services operating between Kolkata and Howrah jetties, streamlining commuter movement across the Hooghly River. A Detailed Project Report (DPR) for the project is expected to be commissioned shortly.

“Kolkata will now be connected to the water metro system, making it the 18th city in the country to adopt this mode of transport,” Adhikari said.

The initiative is seen as part of a broader strategy to enhance inland waterways connectivity and boost maritime-led economic development in West Bengal.