IWAI Chief : Guwahati Water Metro Project moves forward with feasibility study
GUWAHATI : River taxis were announced for Guwahati in 2018 but it still remains a dream. How possible is a Water Metro system in Guwahati as announced by the Centre. Exclusively talking to Rahul Chanda of GPlus, Chairman (I/C), Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI), Sunil Kumar Singh claims and explains why water metro can be a reality in Guwahati. Singh is a senior officer of the Indian Statistical Service (1998 batch) with 27 years of experience in economics, statistics and public administration.
In an exclusive interaction with GPlus, Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI) Chairman Sanjay Bandopadhyay, Singh confirmed that the long-awaited Guwahati Water Metro project is steadily moving forward with a detailed feasibility study underway.
“The water metro for Guwahati is coming up — not because it is easy, but because the city sits by the Brahmaputra,” Singh remarked, underscoring the project’s strategic importance. With the success of the Kochi Water Metro serving as a proven model, Singh noted that India is now better positioned to translate vision into action through improved feasibility, assured funding, and stronger coordination among agencies.
Beyond River Taxis: A True Urban Transit Network
Clarifying a common misconception, Singh explained that a water metro is fundamentally different from a river taxi. While river taxis are limited, privately operated services, the water metro will function as a planned, high-frequency public transport network, featuring standardized terminals, digital ticketing, and integration with buses and rail systems.
Feasibility Study in Progress
IWAI, through a consulting agency, is conducting feasibility studies for urban water metro projects in 18 Indian cities, including Guwahati. The study involves detailed hydrological surveys, navigability assessments, and evaluations of sedimentation, passenger demand, and safety requirements. The techno-feasibility report for Guwahati is expected by November 2025.
Preliminary findings indicate the potential use of electric-hybrid Ro-Pax and fast ferries, contingent on dredging and operational feasibility.
Connecting the Brahmaputra Basin
The proposed Guwahati Water Metro aims to provide intra-city mass transit, linking Kamrup Metropolitan district with nearby riverine and peri-urban regions. Over time, the network could extend to other towns within an hour’s travel radius. However, Singh cautioned that the Brahmaputra’s unpredictable monsoon conditions would require adaptive scheduling based on seasonal feasibility and safety modelling.
Collaborative Model and Funding
The project is being designed as a joint initiative between the Centre, the Assam government, and private partners.
While the Centre will guide policy, funding, and technical aspects through IWAI and the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways, the state government will handle land acquisition, permissions, and integration with existing urban transport. Private participation is expected under PPP or operations-and-maintenance contracts.
Funding will likely combine central and state allocations, multilateral agency support (such as the World Bank and ADB), and private investment, ensuring both affordability and long-term sustainability.
Challenges and Opportunities
Singh acknowledged several challenges — including high sediment loads, terminal site selection, and safety during peak river flows — but emphasized the project’s potential to deliver significant benefits. Public awareness and local technical capacity, especially for maintaining electric vessels, will be crucial.
Feasibility studies are also ongoing in other Assam locations such as Kamrup (north bank), Sonitpur (Tezpur), and Dibrugarh (Bogibeel), highlighting the region’s growing focus on river-based connectivity.
If the Guwahati feasibility report is finalized on schedule and approvals progress smoothly, a pilot corridor could be operational within 24–36 months, Singh revealed.
A Step Toward Low-Carbon Urban Mobility
Singh described the water metro as a “high-impact, low-carbon mobility solution” that can reduce congestion, reconnect riverine communities, and promote waterfront economic activity.
“It’s not a silver bullet,” he said, “but a sustainable step toward a cleaner, more connected urban future.”
As India Maritime Week 2025 turns the spotlight on financing, standards, and partnerships, IWAI’s efforts aim to transform the Guwahati Water Metro from a bold concept into a daily commuting reality for the Northeast.