Kochi: Himachal Pradesh may soon explore a collaboration with Kochi Water Metro, drawing inspiration from Kerala’s much-praised Water Metro project. Vikramaditya Singh, the state’s PWD and Urban Development Minister, hinted that the model could be adapted for Himachal’s unique geography with many rivers and reservoirs.

“I went to a Kochi metro station on Thursday and met local officials who manage it. I was very impressed with the water metro system,” Singh said at the Kerala Urban Conclave 2025 in Kochi.

When asked about a possible tie-up with Kochi Metro Rail Limited, Singh said, “We will try, but it may not be for the same model." However, Singh said Himachal is looking at using small boats for both cargo transport and tourism referring to the state’s rivers, reservoirs, especially the Bhakra Nangal Dam. He added that the state’s ₹5,000 crore apple economy would benefit from faster cargo movement, with boats and ropeways being considered.

But Singh balanced optimism with a warning. He said Himachal’s fragile ecosystem is under severe stress due to unsustainable projects. “The four-laning of highways is progressing in Himanchal. It is good for development, but the way mountains are being cut and forests cleared is destroying the state’s ecology,” he said.

He noted that rapid urbanisation near rivers, along with a large number of dams, has altered climatic patterns, leading to erratic rainfall, cloudbursts, and rising ecological risks. The government, he said, will soon commission a study to reduce such impacts.

Connectivity remains a key focus area for development, with Singh highlighting the absence of an international airport in Himachal. 

“Air connectivity is very important for the state’s development. I am very happy to learn that Kerala has five international airports. Himachal doesn’t even have one,” he said.

On tourism, Singh warned that uncontrolled visitor inflows threaten ecologically sensitive zones. “The carrying capacity of the mountains needs to be studied. In Bhutan, they allow only a limited number of tourists. Himachal too may have to limit numbers and focus on quality tourism instead of quantity,” he said.