Maharashtra took a significant step towards developing a modern and sustainable urban transport network on Wednesday as the Maharashtra Maritime Board signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Norway-based maritime technology company Hyke AS for the ambitious Mumbai Water Metro project.
Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said the project would mark the beginning of a “new chapter in modern water transport” in India and help transform urban mobility in the Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR).
The agreement aims to bring advanced water transport vessels to Mumbai while also exploring the establishment of shipbuilding facilities in Maharashtra. The state government believes the project can ease pressure on Mumbai’s overcrowded road and rail infrastructure by expanding the use of waterways for passenger transport.
Addressing officials and delegates after the signing ceremony at Varsha residence, Fadnavis said the state has been consistently working for the past decade on the concept of sustainable water transport. He said a comprehensive plan for water transport infrastructure in Mumbai has now been prepared, creating the need for technologically advanced and environmentally sustainable vessels.
“Water transport offers immense opportunities across the country. The demand for sustainable urban mobility solutions will increase rapidly in the coming years, and the Mumbai model can become a guiding framework for other cities as well,” the Chief Minister said.
The Detailed Project Report (DPR) for the Water Metro project has been prepared by Kochi Metro Rail Ltd. It proposes the upgradation of 24 terminals across 21 existing water routes in the MMR, along with the construction of 21 new terminals on 10 proposed routes.
Hyke AS, a Norwegian maritime technology company, specialises in designing modern vessels for urban water transport systems. The company has also shown interest in establishing shipbuilding facilities in Maharashtra, which officials believe could boost the state’s maritime manufacturing ecosystem and create skilled employment opportunities.
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Fisheries and Ports Minister Nitesh Rane described the agreement as a major milestone for Maharashtra’s maritime development. He said collaboration with an international technology company like Hyke AS would provide fresh momentum to port development, shipbuilding and maritime skill development in the state.
Senior officials and international delegates present during the signing ceremony included Maharashtra Maritime Board CEO Pradeep P., Hyke AS Chairman Charles Pemberoke Beers, Norway Honorary Consul General Monica Nagelgaard, Sweden Consul General Sven Osterberg, Chief Minister’s Additional Chief Secretary Lokesh Chandra, Principal Secretary Dr. Shrikar Pardeshi and Principal Advisor Kaustubh Dhavse, among others.
