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A Guide to the Vasai Creek-Ulhas River Waterway


(Imaginary picture generated through AI)


For decades, citizens of Thane have relied on road and rail networks. These systems are very important. However, they are also deeply crowded. Today, a new transport revolution is unfolding on our shores. The Vasai Creek and Ulhas River are becoming a high-speed passenger water metro network. The government officially calls this stretch National Waterway 53 (NW-53).

This inland water transport project will fundamentally change how we travel across the Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR). It promises a fast and eco-friendly travel choice. It will give citizens a break from the daily traffic jams on Ghodbunder Road.

The Route and Passenger Stops

The total water stretch of NW-53 covers about 145 kilometers. The main passenger route will connect the deep eastern suburbs straight to the western edge. Commuters can skip road traffic entirely. A trip by water will take much less time than a road journey.

The network is designed for easy access. New passenger terminals will connect smoothly with local buses and auto-rickshaws. Important stops along the Thane-Kalyan-Vasai stretch include:

Eastern Corridor: Kalyan, Dombivli, and Mumbra.

Central Thane: Kalher and Kolshet.

Ghodbunder Bypass: Nagla Bunder and Gaimukh.

Western Link: Fountain Junction, Mira-Bhayander, and Vasai.

Capacity and Green Fleet

This project is a true mass transit system. The Mumbai Water Metro project aims to handle 44,000 daily passengers in its early phases.

To achieve this, the network will use a modern fleet of ferries. These boats will be battery-powered and air-conditioned. They will range from small, fast boats to larger vessels for busy routes. Scheduled timings will make the ride as reliable as the city metro rail. In the future, the water metro might even link to a common mobility card. This would let you switch between buses, trains, and boats with one ticket.

The water metro is also a huge win for the environment. Moving people by water uses much less energy than roads. It creates very little pollution. By shifting thousands of riders to electric boats, Thane will see less carbon and less noise.

Current Status and Implementation Schedule

The project is currently in the active planning stage. A study by Kochi Water Metro Limited suggested building 24 new terminals and upgrading 20 old ones. As of May 2026, the Maharashtra Maritime Board (MMB) has taken a major step. They recently closed a tender to select a project consultant for Phase 1.

Phase 1 plans to cover 16 routes and 26 terminals across the MMR. For Thane, technical studies will check creek depth and low tides. These tests will decide the safest path for the boats.

The government will build the project using a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model. The state will build the jetties and civil structures. Private companies will buy the boats and run the daily operations. The exact timeline for the first boat ride will be confirmed once the final route maps are cleared.

Very soon, waiting in traffic will be a choice, not a rule.



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