In a major push towards river-based urban transportation, Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari on Thursday announced plans for a Water Metro network in Kolkata, seeking to transform the Hooghly River into a key public transport corridor and reduce pressure on the city's congested road and rail infrastructure.
The proposed project, inspired by successful water-based transit systems elsewhere in the country, is expected to integrate ferry services with existing metro, railway and road networks, creating a multi-modal transport ecosystem across the Kolkata Metropolitan Area.
Announcing the initiative, Adhikari said, “The Hooghly River remains one of Bengal's most underutilised transportation assets despite flowing through the heart of the state's largest urban agglomeration.” The Chief Minister indicated, “the government intends to harness the river for large-scale commuter movement, linking important points across Kolkata, Howrah and adjoining urban centres.”
The proposal marks the latest chapter in Kolkata's long association with river transport. For decades, ferries have served as an important mode of connectivity between Kolkata and Howrah, carrying thousands of commuters across the Hooghly every day. However, experts have repeatedly argued that the river's full transportation potential remains largely untapped.
In recent years, the city has seen the expansion of multiple metro rail corridors, including the East-West Metro Rail project connecting Kolkata and Howrah through India's first underwater metro tunnel beneath the Hooghly River. The underwater section, inaugurated in 2024, demonstrated the growing importance of river-centric transportation planning in the metropolitan region.
Officials said the Water Metro concept would seek to complement, rather than compete with, existing transport systems. The objective is to provide commuters with an additional mode of travel while reducing traffic congestion on major arterial roads and easing pressure on suburban rail and metro services.
According to the government's preliminary vision, “The project would involve the development of modern terminals, improved river jetties and a fleet of dedicated passenger vessels capable of operating on scheduled routes.” Authorities are also expected to examine connectivity between major commercial hubs, residential areas and transport nodes located along both banks of the Hooghly.
CM Adhikari stated, “The government was studying successful models of water-based urban mobility and exploring how similar systems could be adapted to Bengal's requirements. He maintained that the state's geography offered a unique advantage and that river transport could emerge as a sustainable solution for future urban mobility challenges.”
The Chief Minister further indicated that detailed planning and feasibility assessments would be undertaken before the project enters the implementation stage. Government agencies are expected to examine route alignment, passenger demand, terminal infrastructure, environmental considerations and integration with existing public transport networks.
