Chennai Eyes Water Metro Inspired By Kochi Model; Plans 53-km Corridor Linking East Coast Road To Napier Bridge

The Chennai Unified Metropolitan Transport Authority (CUMTA) is reportedly considering launching a water metro system to diversify city transit and promote tourism.

Inspired by Kochi’s operational model, the plan is part of Chennai’s broader Comprehensive Mobility Plan, The New Indian Express reported.

Route and Technical Scope
The proposed water-based corridor would span 53 kilometres, linking East Coast Road with Napier Bridge via Chennai’s coastal and inland waterways.

Electric or hybrid ferries are under consideration, but a feasibility study is currently assessing navigability, cost-effectiveness, and environmental impact.

Past Challenges and Lessons Learned

Although water transport has been proposed in Chennai before, earlier efforts faltered due to encroachments, pollution, shallow riverbeds, and inconsistent water flow.

This includes an abandoned attempt to integrate segments of National Waterway 4 (NW-4) into a functional inland water transport system.

Need for System Integration and Restoration

Officials now emphasise the importance of integrating the project with existing metro and bus systems, alongside sustained river restoration and the use of low-draft vessels and suitable terminals.

The NW-4, spanning 1,078 km across Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, and Puducherry, could see renewed focus under this urban mobility push.

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