The proposed Mangaluru Water Metro project has received formal approval from Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah during a high-level meeting on 23 April, 2025 convened to review inland water transport initiatives across the state.

The new water-based transit system aims to link Bajal and Maravoor, located on either side of the Netravati and Gurupura rivers, offering a significant upgrade to the city’s public transport infrastructure. During the meeting, the Chief Minister also sanctioned the setting up of the Karnataka Water Transport Training Centre in Mangaluru, a project aligned with the Central Government’s Sagarmala programme.

The initiative underscores the state's focus on enhancing maritime and inland water transport systems. Development responsibilities for the water metro and associated projects have been entrusted to the Karnataka Maritime Board (KMB), which will prepare a detailed project report (DPR). Once operational, the Mangaluru Water Metro will stand as India’s second-largest water transport network, following Kochi’s pioneering model. The meeting included senior maritime and transport officials and covered topics such as port development, cargo transport infrastructure, and water-based connectivity solutions.

In a move to develop the coastal and island regions comprehensively, the CM directed the Uttara Kannada Deputy Commissioner to conduct a drone survey of the district's islands and submit findings within three months. He further instructed officials to study port operations in Andhra Pradesh, Visakhapatnam, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, and Gujarat, aiming to benchmark best practices for application in Karnataka’s evolving port ecosystem.