Ayodhya’s ₹12 Crore Water Metro Project Fails Due to Sarayu River Silt and Changing River Conditions

Ayodhya, India: The ambitious Water Metro project launched in Ayodhya at a cost of approximately ₹12 crore has struggled to operate successfully due to the changing nature of the Sarayu River and heavy silt accumulation. The project, introduced in January 2024, aimed to provide tourists with a unique river journey between Ayodhya and Guptar Ghat, but operational challenges have largely halted its intended use.

Experts now believe that successful operation of the Ayodhya Water Metro may only become possible after the construction of a proposed barrage on the Sarayu River, a project estimated to cost around ₹29,000 crore.

Ayodhya Water Metro Arrived from Kochi in January 2024

The Water Metro, brought from Kochi in January 2024, initially generated significant public interest and was viewed as an innovative step to boost religious tourism in Ayodhya.

Authorities conducted multiple surveys of the Sarayu River, prepared navigation channels, and completed inspections before launching the project. Infrastructure including:

• Charging stations
• Jetty installations
• Passenger facilities at Guptar Ghat and Ayodhya’s old ghats

was developed to support operations along the approximately 10-kilometer route between Ayodhya and Guptar Ghat.

However, despite extensive planning, the project faced major environmental and geographical challenges.

Changing River Conditions and Heavy Silt Affected Operations

The Sarayu River, known for carrying significant amounts of silt, proved unsuitable for consistent Water Metro operations.

The metro remained unused for long periods before being transferred to the Tourism Department, which later awarded operational responsibility to a private company. Even after privatization efforts, the Water Metro could not be operated regularly along the intended route to Guptar Ghat.

Eventually, the private company withdrew, while the Water Metro remained largely inactive near the riverbanks.

Officials later concluded that dredging the riverbed was essential for operations. Dredging work began but remained limited to areas near Guptar Ghat, failing to resolve the broader navigational issues.

As a result, multiple efforts over the last two years have failed to revive the project effectively.

Original Goal Was to Promote Ayodhya Tourism

The primary objective behind introducing the Ayodhya Water Metro was to allow visitors and pilgrims to explore important ghats along the Sarayu River, while showcasing the religious and cultural significance of Ram Nagari (Ayodhya).

For a short period, tourists were offered rides around nearby Ayodhya ghats. However, during summer months, the river receded significantly from the ghats, making navigation difficult.

During the monsoon and flood seasons, excessive silt accumulation prevented the Water Metro from following designated channels.

These seasonal changes made year-round operations nearly impossible.

Sarayu Barrage Project Could Revive Water Metro Operations

According to experts, the proposed ₹29,000 crore barrage project on the Sarayu River could create more stable water levels, enabling smooth operation of:

• Ayodhya Water Metro services
• Passenger water transport
• Cargo and commercial water vehicles
• Services linked to National Waterway No. 40

Officials indicate that planning and development work related to the Sarayu Barrage Project is currently underway.

Future of Water-Based Transport in Ayodhya Depends on Infrastructure

The failure of the ₹12 crore Water Metro project in Ayodhya highlights the challenges of implementing large-scale river transportation systems without addressing natural river dynamics.

Experts suggest that long-term infrastructure projects, such as the Sarayu Barrage, may be essential before sustainable water transport and tourism services in Ayodhya can become successful.