Draft National Water Metro Policy 2026 circulated; Water Metro planned for 18 cities, Guwahati in Phase I
On 18 May 2026 Ports Minister Sarbananda Sonowal said the Draft National Water Metro Policy, 2026 has been circulated for inter-ministerial consultation, with Water Metro services planned in 18 cities and Guwahati, Srinagar, Patna, Varanasi, Ayodhya and Prayagraj in Phase I.
Summary
The Draft National Water Metro Policy, 2026 has been circulated for inter-ministerial consultation, Ports, Shipping and Waterways Minister Sarbananda Sonowal said on 18 May 2026 after a review of the Water Metro rollout. Water Metro services are planned in 18 cities. Guwahati, Srinagar, Patna, Varanasi, Ayodhya and Prayagraj are in Phase I, while Tezpur and Dibrugarh in Assam are proposed for Phase II. The national framework builds on the learnings of the Kochi Water Metro. Sonowal said water metros are much less capital-intensive because they use existing waterways with little civil construction.
Key facts
- Policy
- Draft National Water Metro Policy, 2026 (inter-ministerial consultation)
- Coverage
- 18 cities
- Phase I
- Guwahati, Srinagar, Patna, Varanasi, Ayodhya, Prayagraj
- Phase II (Assam)
- Tezpur, Dibrugarh
- Model
- Builds on Kochi Water Metro
- Announced by
- Sarbananda Sonowal, 18 May 2026
Practice MCQs 2 questions
In how many cities does the Centre plan to roll out Water Metro services, as stated in May 2026?
Show answer
Correct answer: C — 18
Sonowal said the Centre has advanced plans to roll out Water Metro services in 18 cities.
Which of the following cities is proposed for Phase II (not Phase I) of the Water Metro rollout?
Show answer
Correct answer: D — Dibrugarh
Tezpur and Dibrugarh in Assam are proposed for Phase II; Guwahati, Srinagar and Varanasi are in Phase I.