Mumbai Water Metro to Link South Mumbai With Navi Mumbai Airport in 40 Minutes By December

Mumbai may soon get a new way to travel as the state government moves ahead with the Mumbai Water Metro project. The plan is to start battery-powered passenger ferries connecting important coastal areas in the city. Officials have indicated that the first phase could begin by December if work progresses as scheduled.

The project comes at a time when Mumbai traffic continues to cause long delays across major roads. Daily commuters often spend hours travelling between office hubs and residential areas. The Water Metro aims to reduce pressure on crowded roads by shifting part of the daily travel to sea routes.

Maharashtra Ports Minister Nitesh Rane has said that the Detailed Project Report is expected by February 28. The estimated cost of the project is around ₹1,200 crore. After discussions with Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, the government decided to begin services within Mumbai before expanding to other parts of the Mumbai Metropolitan Region.

Several routes are being planned along the western coastline, including Nariman Point, Worli, Bandra, Juhu and Versova. These areas see heavy daily movement of office-goers and residents.

One key route under consideration will connect the Radio Club jetty near the Gateway of India to the upcoming Navi Mumbai International Airport. The journey is expected to take around 40 minutes, offering an alternative to road travel.

The ferries will run on electric power and are modelled on the Kochi Water Metro, which operates battery-powered boats carrying 50 to 100 passengers.

Ticket prices, safety rules and operational guidelines are still being finalised. Once launched, the Mumbai Water Metro could add a new option to the city's public transport system and help reduce travel time for many commuters.