Kolkata set to join India's Water Metro network.
Bengal becomes the 18th state-city cleared for India's Water Metro programme, and lines up a ₹22,700 crore maritime pipeline under Sagarmala 2.0 over the next five years.
What is a Water Metro?
A Water Metro is a modern urban public transport system — but on water. Think of it as a metro rail network that runs on rivers, canals and coastal belts using electric ferries instead of trains.
Why it matters: in cities choked by road congestion but blessed with rivers, lakes or canals, water becomes transport infrastructure — cheaper than new flyovers, cleaner than buses, and faster than crawling traffic. India's first operational Water Metro is in Kochi; Kolkata is now cleared to be next in line.
What was announced
- 01Kolkata
Kolkata cleared as India's 18th Water Metro city
- Centre has approved Bengal's inclusion in the Water Metro programme.
- Proposal received clearance from the Union Ministry of State for Shipping.
- Kolkata joins 17 other riverine, coastal and island cities already shortlisted.
Urban Transport · Inland Waterways - 02West Bengal
Bengal re-enters Sagarmala 2.0 with a ₹22,700 cr plan
- State will participate in Sagarmala 2.0 after sitting out Phase 1.
- ₹22,700 crore worth of project proposals planned over 5 years.
- Priorities: port connectivity, coastal shipping, coastal community development, fishing infrastructure.
Maritime · Sagarmala 2.0 - 03Sundarbans & Coastal Belt
Coastal regions earmarked for development
- Beneficiary regions include Sagar, Kakdwip, Namkhana, Jharkhali, Hingalganj, Bakkhali, Gosaba, Basanti, Sandeshkhali.
- Focus on community-level infrastructure and fishing economy.
Coastal Development - 04Purba Medinipur
Tajpur deep-sea port shelved; Dadanpatrabar emerges as alternative
- State assessment found Tajpur unviable: lacks rail connectivity, warehousing and land for acquisition.
- New site under study: Dadanpatrabar, ~10 km from Tajpur.
- ~1,700 acres of government-owned land available (previously used for salt production).
- State alleges ~₹30 crore was spent on the earlier Tajpur effort.
Ports · Reset
India's Water Metro map — 18 cities
One operational. One newly cleared. Sixteen in the pipeline.
Source & attribution: Based on a press briefing after a high-level meeting at Nabanna (Jun 04, 2026) and statements attributed to the Union Ministry of State for Shipping. Newtown Post has summarised, verified structure and removed unverified individual attributions. Figures (₹22,700 cr; 1,700 acres; 18 cities) are as announced by state leadership.
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