Lucknow, Dec. 10 -- The first meeting of the Uttar Pradesh Inland Waterways Authority on Tuesday outlined a clear roadmap to start and expand water-based transport across the state.

The authority decided to appoint a consultant to prepare a detailed feasibility study for launching water transport on major rivers in the first phase. The Gomti river was highlighted as a potential priority stretch, subject to adequate cleaning and depth. The meeting also strongly recommended introducing water metro services in Lucknow, Varanasi, Prayagraj, Ayodhya, Agra and Mathura.

"At the board meeting of the authority, a decision was taken to appoint a consultant to carry out a feasibility study of major rivers to start water-based transport services an...