Guwahati : Guwahati has been shortlisted for the first phase of the Centre’s ambitious nationwide Water Metro initiative, Union Minister for Ports, Shipping and Waterways Sarbananda Sonowal announced on Monday.

The project aims to introduce modern water-based public transport systems in 18 cities across India, modelled on the successful Kochi Water Metro.

Apart from Guwahati, Assam’s Tezpur and Dibrugarh have been included in the second phase of the proposed network. Other cities selected for Phase I include Srinagar, Patna, Varanasi, Ayodhya and Prayagraj.

The announcement came after Sonowal chaired a high-level review meeting on the rollout of Water Metro services across the country. He also confirmed that the Draft National Water Metro Policy, 2026 has been circulated for inter-ministerial consultations.

According to the minister, the proposed systems aim to transform navigable waterways into sustainable and efficient urban transport corridors.

“The proposed Water Metro systems are significantly less capital intensive as they utilise existing waterways with minimal civil infrastructure. With faster construction timelines, lower land requirements and reduced operational costs through electric and hybrid ferries, the system offers a viable and eco-friendly alternative to conventional urban transport,” Sonowal said.

He added that the projects are expected to ease traffic congestion, strengthen urban connectivity and improve commuter experience, while simultaneously boosting tourism potential in river-based cities.

The proposed ecosystem will include ferries, terminals, jetties, charging infrastructure, navigational aids and passenger facilities, with a focus on electric and hybrid-powered vessels.

The Centre said cities with continuous or semi-continuous waterways, populations above one million and high commuter demand would be prioritised under the programme. However, exceptions could be made for projects that improve connectivity in remote areas or enhance resilience during floods and emergencies.

The Inland Waterways Authority of India had earlier tasked Kochi Metro Rail Limited with conducting feasibility studies for the 18 shortlisted cities. Draft feasibility reports for Guwahati, Srinagar, Patna, Varanasi and Ayodhya have already been accepted by the authorities.

The Centre is also exploring multiple funding models for implementation, including Centre-State partnerships, public-private partnership (PPP) models and fully government-funded projects.