The Government of Maharashtra signed an MoU with Zoya Marine Services to establish a 150-crore rupee electric boat manufacturing facility on 22 acres in Sindhudurg. The hub will build zero-emission vessels for the 6,067-crore Mumbai Water Metro, which spans a 250-kilometer urban transit network.
MUMBAI, India — The Government of Maharashtra has entered a strategic partnership to supply specialized eco-friendly vessels for the upcoming Mumbai Water Metro project and build a major manufacturing base in coastal India. According to official state notifications issued on July 9, 2026, from the Mantralaya in Mumbai, the Maharashtra Maritime Board (MMB) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with M/s Zoya Marine Services Private Limited.
The agreement outlines the delivery of high-capacity electric vessels and establishes a 150-crore rupee ($₹150\text{ crore}$) state-of-the-art electric boat manufacturing hub at Talawane in the Sawantwadi taluka of the Sindhudurg district. This infrastructure initiative supports the state's plan to integrate marine operations into the Mumbai Metropolitan Region’s (MMR) multimodal transport network to ease heavy congestion on city roadways and rail lines.
Technical Allocation and Sindhudurg Manufacturing Footprint
The signed memorandum establishes a dedicated domestic manufacturing ecosystem for the maritime transit sector. The planned factory in Sindhudurg will span approximately 22 acres of specialized industrial land at Talawane. Backed by an immediate direct investment capital pool of 150 crore rupees, the facility will use modern automated shipbuilding technologies to build, test, and deliver zero-emission electric multi-passenger watercraft.
The vessel production pipeline is designed to supply the broad structural needs of the Mumbai Water Metro project, which has a total estimated project cost of 6,067 crore rupees. Officials note that establishing an in-state manufacturing center helps lower tracking errors and long-term procurement costs compared to importing finished foreign hulls. It also ensures a continuous supply of replacement parts for regional marine operations.
Operational Routing Matrix and Phase Timelines
The complete scope of the integrated passenger water transport network covers roughly 250 kilometers of dynamic coastal waterways throughout the Mumbai metropolitan area. Designed as a public-private partnership (PPP) framework, the master expansion project is being developed using technical consulting expertise from Kochi Metro Rail Limited (KMRL).
The extensive marine transit master network will feature:
Route Configuration: 21 independent service routes linking localized coastal micro-markets.
Terminal Points: 49 integrated modern passenger terminals equipped with fast-charging shore infrastructure.
Fleet Volume: 207 green electric boats running daily passenger services once fully operational.
The network maps direct linkages between key metropolitan water zones, including the Mumbai Port, Navi Mumbai, Thane, Vasai, Bandra, Worli, and Panvel. Construction will roll out across three structural phases, with the initial public routes projected to launch operations as soon as December 2026. The subsequent distribution phases are scheduled for completion between 2029 and 2036.
Impact on Citizens, Local Economies, and Environment
For daily urban commuters, the introduction of the water metro system provides a fast, predictable alternative to clogged city roads, shortening cross-district travel times by up to 50 minutes on targeted routes. The vessels will feature climate-controlled indoor decks and modern safety system integrations to ensure comfortable public travel.
For the regional economy in southern Maharashtra, the Sindhudurg manufacturing facility brings significant heavy industrial investment to a district primarily known for tourism and agriculture. State development panels expect the shipbuilding facility to generate hundreds of high-skilled manufacturing and engineering jobs for local youth, while supporting secondary component suppliers and engineering training initiatives throughout the Konkan belt.
Official Sources Section
The operational details, corporate identities, investment values, and zoning metrics cited in this report are verified from the formal executive briefs published by the Ministry of Ports and Fisheries and the industrial registration records of the Maharashtra Maritime Board.
Quote Section
Speaking at the formalization ceremony in the Mantralaya, State Ports and Fisheries Minister Nitesh Rane stated:
"Under the leadership of Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, the state government is focusing on attracting major investments in the maritime sector. This partnership will strengthen Maharashtra's maritime economy by providing advanced water metro vessels, while creating employment opportunities for local youth and promoting modern shipbuilding technologies."
Why It Matters
Transitioning urban public transit to zero-emission marine systems directly lowers aggregate urban air pollution and reduces oil import demands. Building localized shipbuilding hubs ensures that the economic benefits of public infrastructure spending—ranging from steel sourcing to specialized engineering jobs—remain within the domestic economy.
Key Facts at a Glance
Total Manufacturing Investment: 150 crore rupees allocated for the greenfield electric boat facility.
Hub Scale and Location: Spans 22 acres at Talawane in the Sawantwadi taluka of Sindhudurg.
Project Value: The broader Mumbai Water Metro development requires a total investment of 6,067 crore rupees.
System Metrics: The transit network will span 250 kilometers, utilizing 21 routes, 49 terminals, and 207 electric vessels.
FAQ Section
Who is the private industrial partner for the Sindhudurg electric boat plant?
The Maharashtra Maritime Board signed the formal project agreement with M/s Zoya Marine Services Private Limited.
When will the first routes of the Mumbai Water Metro open to the public?
According to project development timelines, initial passenger routes could launch as early as December 2026, with the full multi-phase network rolling out through 2036.
What types of boats will be built at the new Sindhudurg manufacturing facility?
The factory will focus on constructing technologically advanced, eco-friendly electric passenger vessels specifically tailored for urban water metro networks.
Which state agency is managing the execution of the water metro project?
The project is being managed as a joint public sector collaboration between the Maharashtra Maritime Board and Kochi Metro Rail Limited.
Source: Official project signing disclosures and media notifications published on July 10, 2026, by the Directorate General of Information and Public Relations (DGIPR) and investor project registries hosted by the National Stock Exchange of India.
