Patna (Bihar) [India], June 16 (ANI): Union Minister for Ports, Shipping and Waterways, Sarbananda Sonowal, announced a significant infrastructure push to enhance Inland Waterways in Bihar, emphasizing the government’s commitment to rejuvenating India’s river systems, particularly the National Waterways. The announcement was made during the inaugural session of the Consultative Workshop on Inland Waterways Development on National Waterways-1 (river Ganga), the first such event held in Patna on Monday.
Speaking at the workshop, Sonowal highlighted the critical role of Inland Water Transport (IWT) as an environmentally sustainable and cost-effective mode of transportation. “We reaffirm our collective effort to rejuvenate our rivers, especially the National Waterways, to become engines of our future growth,” he stated.
Referring to the Ganga as “the heartbeat of the Indian subcontinent,” the Union Minister underscored the river’s spiritual and civilizational significance, and its potential to power India’s modern transformation.
Among the key initiatives announced, the government is considering introducing a Water Metro in Patna, modeled after the successful Kochi Water Metro. This system would connect both banks of the Ganga and provide a clean, efficient urban mobility solution. Additionally, a Ship Repair Facility will be established in Patna to support the inland shipping ecosystem, with capabilities not only for repairs but also new vessel construction.
A Joint Task Force is being formed with the Bihar Government, the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways, and the Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI) to explore sustainable development along the Ganga (NW-1). Patna’s National Inland Navigation Institute (NINI) will also be upgraded into a Centre of Excellence, with modernized infrastructure and training facilities.
To improve passenger and cargo movement, 16 new community jetties will be developed in addition to the existing 21, enhancing access to river-based markets for farmers, traders, and small businesses. Patna is being developed into a logistics hub for northern Bihar, while Kalughat Terminal will handle Nepal-bound trade through integrated road and rail networks.
Infrastructure improvements will include the deployment of Quick Pontoon Opening Mechanisms (QPOMs) at four locations, along with the launch of two Ro-Pax terminals and two hybrid electric catamaran vessels. These measures aim to provide clean, efficient, and affordable transport for passengers while reinforcing the government’s focus on sustainable urban development.
Sonowal praised the transformation of inland waterways since 2014 under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership. Cargo movement has increased by over 700 percent, operational waterways have expanded more than eightfold, and investments have risen fivefold. Inland waterways have become a key part of India’s multimodal logistics strategy, offering a clean and cost-effective alternative to road and rail for transporting heavy cargo.
The Jal Marg Vikas Project (JMVP), approved in 2018 at a cost of ₹5,061.15 crore, aims to develop NW-1 from Haldia to Varanasi over a 1,390 km stretch. As of May 2025, the project is 68.86% complete. Cargo traffic on this route has grown 220% since 2014. The project includes environmental safeguards such as zero liquid discharge, bio-toilets, and pingers to protect Gangetic dolphins.
India’s inland waterway network has seen rapid growth, expanding from just 3 operational National Waterways in 2014 to 29 today. A total of 111 NWs have been declared, spanning 23 states and 4 Union Territories with a total navigable length of 20,187 km. Currently, 124 terminals—including 27 permanent and 97 floating terminals—support this network. In FY 2024-25, cargo movement reached 145.84 million tonnes, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 20.89% since 2014. Key cargo includes coal, iron ore, sand, fly ash, cement, vehicles, and passenger traffic.
To support the growing waterway network, the IWAI is conducting 10,000 km of longitudinal depth surveys each month. This effort, currently covering 11 states, will expand to 22 states and 4 Union Territories by FY27. A ₹35,000 crore project pipeline, including public-private partnerships, is being prepared for the next five years. Reflecting the sector’s rising importance, the government increased its FY25 budget for Inland Waterways by 48%, from ₹1,203 crore to ₹1,752 crore.
The inaugural session was attended by top officials from the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways, IWAI, and the governments of Bihar, West Bengal, Uttar Pradesh, and Jharkhand. (ANI)
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