Written by Vallabh OzarkarMumbai | December 11, 2025 11:58 PM IST 3 min readHe instructed officials to plan for the procurement of new vessels, introduce hybrid boats in the initial phase, and transition it fully to electric boats later.Strengthening the state’s push into maritime infrastructure, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Thursday instructed officials to expedite the plans to develop an all-electric Mumbai Water Metro or taxi network and directed officials to move swiftly on setting up India’s largest shipyard in Maharashtra by 2026.He was speaking during a detailed review of the Ports Development Department at the Vidhan Bhavan in Nagpur. The meeting was attended by Ports and Fisheries Minister Nitesh Rane, Chief Secretary Rajesh Aggarwal, Additional Chief Secretary (Transport & Ports) Sanjay Sethi and senior officials of the Maharashtra Maritime Board.Fadnavis said the proposed Water Metro project or water taxi project , which is currently under preparation through a detailed project report, must be designed on a scale bigger and more modern than the Kochi Water Metro.He instructed officials to plan for the procurement of new vessels, introduce hybrid boats in the initial phase, and transition it fully to electric boats later.The project proposes 21 terminals and a 200-nautical-mile network, aimed at improving water mobility in the Mumbai Metropolitan Region.Maharashtra currently witnesses 1.80 crore passengers using 36 water routes every year, including 1.60 crore passengers on 21 routes in the Mumbai region, the figures that, he said, highlight the need for a structured and upgraded system.Turning to long-term maritime growth, the Chief Minister said Maharashtra must make full use of its 720-km coastline and the emerging opportunities around the under-construction Vadhavan port. He directed officials to prepare a comprehensive DPR and identify a suitable site for the proposed shipyard, which he wants to become the biggest in the country by 2026.Story continues below this adFadnavis also underlined the need for better connectivity to support port-led development. He instructed departments to begin land acquisition for the Kolhapur-Vaibhavwadi railway line, calling it essential for boosting activity at Jaigad, Angre, Redi and Vijaywada ports. He said the state should make provisions for its financial share to ensure timely progress on the railway project.Reviewing the Vadhavan–Nashik highway being developed by MSRDC, Fadnavis said both sides of the corridor must be carefully planned, keeping in mind the affected areas and the scope for new industries.To attract large-scale industrial investment in coastal regions, he suggested setting up a joint venture between MIDC and the Ports Department. Given the scale of Vadhavan port and its surrounding development needs, he also proposed establishing a Special Planning Authority to manage long-term growth, land use and infrastructural expansion.Stay updated with the latest - Click here to follow us on Instagram© The Indian Express Pvt Ltd