Author: Bihar Say | Amrita |

Ganga to Transform Bihar’s Future: ₹35,000 Cr Boost for Inland Waterways

For centuries, Ganga has been the heart of Bihar. Now, she is becoming the engine of its economic future. With a game-changing infrastructure plan worth ₹35,000 crore, Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal has launched a bold initiative to make Bihar a leader in inland water transport.

This announcement came during the first Consultative Workshop on Inland Waterways on National Waterway-1 (Ganga), held in Patna. Key ministers and officials from Bihar, West Bengal, Uttar Pradesh, and the central government joined hands to explore sustainable development on this vital river corridor.

Patna: Set to Become India’s Next Water Transport Capital

Patna is not just Bihar’s capital—it is fast emerging as a water-based logistics hub. Speaking at the workshop, Minister Sarbananda Sonowal laid out a clear plan: expand infrastructure, introduce clean mobility solutions, and revive river-based trade.

The key developments include:

• Launch of a Water Metro project in Patna, inspired by Kochi’s model

• Establishment of a ship repair and construction hub in the city

• Upgrade of NINI (National Inland Navigation Institute) to a Centre of Excellence

• Construction of 16 new community jetties to enhance rural connectivity

• Installation of 4 Quick Pontoon Opening Mechanisms (QPOMs)

• Deployment of 2 Ro-Pax terminals and 2 hybrid electric catamaran vessels

With these upgrades, Patna will offer fast, sustainable, and affordable transport across riverbanks. Moreover, these steps are expected to unlock trade and reduce traffic congestion in urban areas.

Rural Bihar to Benefit from River-Based Market Access

Bihar’s farmers and traders often face high transport costs. However, with 16 new community jetties coming up, they will now gain direct access to river-based trade routes.

The Kalughat Terminal will connect local markets with Nepal, offering faster trade options. Additionally, these terminals will reduce transit times and make goods cheaper for both producers and consumers.

By expanding jetties across key districts, the government is not just building infrastructure—it is creating new lifelines for economic growth. This river-based system will offer lower emissions, fewer road delays, and fresher produce reaching cities.

Tracking the Inland Waterways Revolution Since 2014

Since 2014, the inland waterways sector has evolved rapidly. Under the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways, the country has witnessed dramatic growth in both cargo and passenger traffic.

Consider these milestones:

• Cargo volume rose from 5.05 MMT to 16.38 MMT between 2014 and 2025

• Operational national waterways expanded from 3 to 29

• Investments have grown more than 500%

• River cruise routes have increased by over 330%

In FY 2024–25, cargo movement on waterways reached 145.84 million tonnes, with major goods like coal, cement, fly ash, and limestone transported across 124 terminals. These terminals now include both permanent and floating facilities.

Jal Marg Vikas Project: Engineered for a River Renaissance

The Jal Marg Vikas Project (JMVP) is a ₹5,061 crore initiative to upgrade the 1,390 km stretch from Haldia to Varanasi on NW-1. As of May 2025, nearly 69% of the project is complete.

Its features include:

• Cargo terminals for bulk goods

• Fairway maintenance for smooth navigation

• Community jetties to support daily passenger movement

• Navigational locks to reduce travel time

Besides infrastructure, the project supports environmental safeguards like bio-toilets, zero liquid discharge, and underwater pingers to protect Gangetic dolphins.

These components aim to create a river highway that connects cities, supports trade, and preserves ecology—all at once.

Real-Time Monitoring and Nationwide Scale-Up

The Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI) is conducting 10,000 km of monthly depth surveys to ensure smooth navigation. By FY27, these surveys will cover 22 states and 4 union territories.

Currently, 124 terminals are functional, including 27 permanent and 97 floating ones. This infrastructure is backed by a 48% budget increase in FY25, taking the allocation to ₹1,752 crore.

To meet growing demand, the government has launched a ₹35,000 crore five-year project pipeline, including Public-Private Partnership (PPP) ventures.

Collaborative Leadership Behind the Vision

The Patna workshop brought together visionaries from multiple regions:

• Shri Sarbananda Sonowal, Union Minister of Ports, Shipping and Waterways

• Shri Giriraj Singh, Union Minister of Textiles

• Shri Samrat Chaudhary & Shri Vijay Kumar Sinha, Deputy Chief Ministers of Bihar

• Water resource and transport ministers from West Bengal, Bihar, and Uttar Pradesh

• Senior officials from IWAI and state governments

Together, they outlined a unified roadmap for building a green and integrated transport network on river Ganga.

The Road Ahead: A River-Led Growth Story for Bihar

The vision is simple, yet bold: transform Ganga into a corridor for clean transport, efficient logistics, and regional prosperity. Every shipyard, metro link, and jetty adds to a growing story—where Bihar uses its natural assets to power its economic rise.

Patna is ready to lead. With consistent infrastructure investment and river-centric planning, the state will soon redefine what modern, sustainable growth looks like.

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