February 18, 2026

A comprehensive project report is scheduled for submission by the end of February

Mumbai is set to introduce battery-powered water ferries by the end of 2026, following discussions by Maharashtra Ports Minister Nitesh Rane on the feasibility of the routes. The submission of a detailed project report is due by the end of February to the office of the Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis.

Minister Rane outlined: “The planned ferry service will mark a significant step in improving urban transport and easing congestion on the city’s roads. The service aims to provide a reliable and efficient alternative for commuters, linking key coastal areas and potentially reducing travel times. This initiative is expected to bolster connectivity while offering a scenic route for daily travel.”

Mumbai, the financial capital of India, has long struggled with crippling traffic congestion, rapid urbanisation, overcrowded roads and increasing car ownership, which has pushed the city’s transport infrastructure to its limits.

There will be six to eight initial routes into the city, with the key route from a jetty near the Gateway of India to the Navi Mumbai International Airport. The transit time will be approximately 40 minutes, significantly cutting the travel time on road routes. The total project will cost an estimated US$130m and is modelled on an existing Kochi Water Metro system in Kerala, southern India.