Mangaluru: Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has officially approved the Mangaluru Water Metro Project (MWMP), set to revolutionize water-based transport in the coastal city. The green light was given during a water transport board meeting held in Bengaluru on Wednesday.
The initiative, first unveiled in the state budget earlier this year, is modeled on the successful Kochi Water Metro. It aims to create a sustainable transport corridor along the Gurupura and Netravathi rivers, while also strengthening the city’s tourism and recreational appeal.
According to a senior official from the Karnataka Maritime Board (KMB), the project will cover a 30-km stretch and is designed to alleviate road congestion. “This route will link multiple points between Bajal and Maravoor Bridge,” the officer noted.
KMB has been tasked with conducting feasibility and environmental studies to chart the project’s course. Once operational, the water metro is expected to connect 17 major locations, including Kulur Bridge, Bangrakulur, New Mangaluru Port, Sultan Battery, Tannir Bhavi, Old Port, Bengre, Hoige Bazaar, Ullal, Bolar sea face, and the Someshwar temple.
The proposed service will deploy modern catamarans, powered either by electricity or low-emission diesel engines. These vessels are designed to offer an eco-friendly, cost-effective, and efficient commuting alternative.
The MWMP is envisioned not just as a transit solution, but as a catalyst for waterfront development and cultural tourism in the region.
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