The Goa Water Metro project has entered the De tailed Project Report (DPR) stage, with the State government ap pointing Kochi Metro Rail Limited (KMRL) to prepare the report within the next three to four months. River Navigation Minister Subhash Phal Dessai said the first phase of the ambi tious inland water transport pro ject is expected to comprise nine water metro routes connecting major river stretches across the State. The project aims to provide an alternative mode of transport, reduce pressure on roads and promote sustainable mobility through Goa’s water ways. The feasibility study has iden tified several locations for con nectivity under the first phase, including Panjim, Betim, Divar, Chorao, Vanxim, Sarmanas, Narve, Aldona, Cortalim, Mad kai, Adpai and Durbhat. The DPR will assess the technical, finan cial and operational aspects of the project and is expected to be completed within four months, Phal Dessai said. KMRL has been entrusted with preparing the DPR based on its experience in implementing the successful Kochi Water Metro project.
The Minister said the appointment of KMRL marks a significant step towards translating the Goa Water Metro vision into reality. Phal Dessai said the project received priority approval from the Centre after Chief Minister Pramod Sawant sub mitted the proposal with the support of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. He added that Union Minister for Ports, Shipping and Waterways Sarbananda Sonowal has assured all possible assistance for the initiative. The State government is aiming to secure 100 per cent central funding for the project, which is estimated to cost between Rs 3,100 crore and Rs 3,200 crore. According to KMRL Managing Director Loknath Behera, the first phase of the Goa Water Metro will cover around 111 km across nine river routes, with approximately 32 terminals planned across the network. Phal Dessai said the project would make water transport an affordable, time-saving and environment-friendly com muting option for residents while also emerging as a major tourism attraction. Once completed, the DPR will provide the framework for implementation, including infrastruc ture requirements, operational planning and financial arrangements.
