PANAJI
The long-awaited water taxi project (water metro transport system) will finally see some movement with a team from Kochi Metro Rail Limited (KMRL) expected to visit the State next month to conduct a feasibility study.
The experts will assess possible routes, infrastructure requirements and other logistical aspects to evaluate the viability of operating water taxis along Goa’s inland waterways. Officials stated that Goa has proposed four routes -- Panaji-Divar-Old Goa, Panaji-Chorao Island, Vasco-Margao-Cortalim and Calangute-Baga-Candolim while more routes would be added as and when required.
The study will also pave the way for any further decisions on launching the service, as the project was announced over five years ago.
“The KMRL team will examine river stretches and identify suitable locations for the project. The routes suggested by the State and other areas will be explored for the preliminary study,” sources told The Goan adding that the Goa government has appointed Director of the River Navigation Department (RND) Vikramsinh Raje Bhosale as the nodal officer to coordinate with the Kochi officials for the project.
The visit is part of a larger Central government initiative to introduce water taxis in 18 locations across the country and KMRL is entrusted with preparing a preliminary report.
“Decisions such as whether the boats will be solar-powered, their passenger capacity and operational models, etc will also depend on the findings of the study. This project is one of those areas to modernize transport and promote sustainable mobility solutions across Indian cities.
Kochi’s water metro model is explored as a potential blueprint for similar initiatives elsewhere,” the source said.
While Goa proposed water taxi services between Panaji and Old Goa way back in 2019-20, the project resurfaced during a finance commission meeting, where the State reiterated its intent to move ahead with the idea under the Central scheme.
Apart from Goa, Guwahati (Brahmaputra), Jammu and Kashmir (Dal Lake), and island routes in Andaman and Lakshadweep and cities such as Ahmedabad, Surat, Mangaluru, Ayodhya, Kolkata, Prayagraj, Varanasi, and Mumbai are other locations identified for this new transport system.
