Goa explores water metro taxis for public transport

Panaji: State govt is exploring the introduction of water metro taxis in Goa after drawing inspiration from the successful water metro project in Kerala.River navigation minister Subhash Phal Dessai on Monday held a discussion with officials from Kochi Metro Rail Ltd (KMRL) which executed the Kerala Water Metro initiative.The meeting, which took place in Kerala, included discussions with KMRL managing director Loknath Behera to understand the operational framework and feasibility of implementing a similar model in Goa.“Centre has selected Goa as one of the destinations for the water metro project,” Phal Dessai said after the meeting.“We discussed the initiative with Union minister of ports, shipping and waterways, Sarbananda Sonowal, for its implementation in Goa. The KMRL was a success story and it’s a great opportunity to see positive results in Goa,” he said.The Kochi Water Metro, inaugurated in 2023, is the first-of-its-kind public water transport system in India, integrating electric-hybrid ferries with metro rail-style infrastructure and ticketing. Its success has now become a template for other coastal states looking to adopt cleaner and smarter transport options. Proposed routes under consideration in Goa include Panaji to Old Goa, Panaji to Chorao Island, Vasco to Margao via Cortalim, and Calangute to Baga to Candolim.Officials believe these routes, which connect urban centres and popular tourist destinations, could reduce road traffic while offering a faster, scenic, and environmentally friendly alternative for daily commuting.“Goa has over 90km of navigable inland waterways and several islands located away from the mainland. We aim to examine the detailed project report (DPR) and consultation documents prepared by the KMRL to guide our own implementation process,” Phal Dessai said.