Sri Vijaya Puram | January 28, 2026
Tarun Karthick
Plans are underway to introduce a Water Metro system in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, with proposed operations between Phoenix Bay, Bambooflat and Chatham, aimed at improving daily passenger connectivity.
The proposal was disclosed by the Director of Shipping Services on January 27, 2026, while addressing protestors at Bambooflat. He informed that a survey for the project had been conducted around three to four months ago by authorities of the Kochi Water Metro. According to him, the final feasibility report from the Kochi Water Metro authorities is expected within the next 10 to 15 days.
The Director stated that the Administration is planning to introduce Water Metro services on the busy Phoenix Bay–Bambooflat–Chatham sectors, which currently witnesses a daily commuter footfall of nearly 4,000 to 5,000 passengers. He added that if the project is found feasible—as is likely—the work would be taken up with funding from the Central Government.
The information was shared with protestors in an effort to persuade them to call off their agitation and cooperate with the Administration, assuring them of long-term solutions to address transportation challenges in the region.
The Kochi Water Metro, which is India’s first integrated water-based public transport system, is operated by Kochi Water Metro Limited (KWML), a special purpose vehicle jointly owned by the Government of Kerala and the Kochi Metro Rail Limited. The project was launched to provide safe, affordable, and environmentally sustainable water transport by integrating ferries with the city’s metro and bus networks.
Unlike conventional ferry services, the Water Metro operates modern, electrically powered boats equipped with advanced safety features, GPS-based tracking, CCTV surveillance, barrier-free access for the elderly and persons with disabilities, and standardized jetties designed for quick and safe boarding. The system runs on fixed schedules with regulated fares and is managed through a centralized command and control mechanism, ensuring reliability and efficiency.
The Kochi Water Metro currently operates a fleet of over 75 electric-hybrid boats across multiple routes, significantly reducing travel time and carbon emissions while enhancing commuter comfort.
If implemented in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, the Water Metro system is expected to bring a major transformation in harbour sector urban mobility, reduce congestion on existing ferry services, improve passenger safety, and offer a modern, sustainable alternative for daily commuters in the capital region.
