Central team to study Krishna River Water Metro connecting Vijayawada and Amaravati
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The project proposed by the A.P. Inland Waterways Authority falls in the purview of National Waterway-4 and connects Vijayawada to Amaravati with a waterway distance of about 30 km. | Photo Credit: Representational Image
The Andhra Pradesh government has sought the Inland Waterways Authority of India’s (IWAI) clearance for a Water Metro covering the Krishna River Region, connecting Vijayawada with Amaravati, on the lines of the successful Kochi Water Metro project.
A team of the Government of India will be coming soon to do a preliminary study in response to the request by the A.P. Inland Waterways Authority (APIWA) Chairman Z. Siva Prasad.
In a letter to IWAI Chairman Sushil Kumar Lohani recently, Mr. Siva Prasad stated that three National Waterways (NW-4, NW-79 and NW-104) were passing through Andhra Pradesh, with the Krishna and Godavari rivers supporting about 250 operational inland vessels for cargo, ferries, and tourism.
He pointed out that the Vijayawada - Amaravati Capital Region was experiencing rapid urbanisation and soaring commuter demand, and with the current road-heavy transport network leading to increased congestion and environmental strain, the Krishna River could be made a natural corridor ideal for developing a sustainable water metro system.
Against this backdrop, the proposed Krishna River Water Metro offers a safe and eco-friendly transit option designed to alleviate pressure on the existing road network and enhance regional mobility.
The project can significantly reduce vehicular traffic, fuel consumption, and greenhouse gas emissions, and the adoption of electric or hybrid vessels would directly advance the Centre’s Net-Zero commitments and champion sustainable urban mobility, besides giving a boost to tourism in the capital region and its surroundings.
The proposed water metro falls in the purview of National Waterway-4 and connects Vijayawada to Amaravati with a waterway distance of about 30 km.
According to official sources, the APIWA planned the project in two phases: Vijayawada to Rayapudi and Rayapudi to Amaravati.
The Vijayawada-Rayapudi waterway does not require any major dredging activity as per a technical feasibility study done by the Water and Power Consultancy Services (India) Limited in 2021 and a trial run organised by APIWA with a cargo boat this year.
The other stretch from Rayapudi to Amaravati needs dredging and also development of a navigation channel.
The APIWA requested approval for the project under the Water Metro Policy of the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways, while committing to allot land for establishing the waterway terminals in adherence to the relevant policies of the AP Capital Region Development Authority.
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