Mangaluru Goes Aquatic! Water Metro Approved.

The Mangaluru Water Metro project has officially received approval from Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah in a high-level meeting held on 23 April 2025. This meeting was convened to review inland water transport initiatives across the state.

The proposed water-based transit system is designed to connect Bajal and Maravoor, situated on opposite sides of the Netravati and Gurupura rivers. This will significantly enhance Mangaluru's public transport infrastructure. Additionally, during the meeting, the Chief Minister authorized the establishment of the Karnataka Water Transport Training Centre in Mangaluru, in line with the Central Government’s Sagarmala program.

This initiative highlights the state’s commitment to improving maritime and inland water transport systems. The Karnataka Maritime Board (KMB) has been entrusted with the development of the Water Metro and related projects, and will prepare a detailed project report (DPR). Once operational, the Mangaluru Water Metro will become India’s second-largest water transport network, following the model pioneered by Kochi. The meeting also included discussions on port development, cargo transport infrastructure, and solutions for enhancing water-based connectivity.

As part of a broader effort to develop coastal and island regions, the Chief Minister directed the Uttara Kannada Deputy Commissioner to carry out a drone survey of the district's islands and submit the findings within three months. He also instructed officials to study port operations in other states—Andhra Pradesh, Visakhapatnam, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, and Gujarat—to identify best practices for implementing in Karnataka's growing port ecosystem.

News by Rahul Yelligetti.