In a significant step towards boosting inland water transport in Bihar, Union Minister of Ports, Shipping and Waterways, Sarbananda Sonowal, announced a slew of transformative infrastructure projects at the inaugural Consultative Workshop on Inland Waterways Development. Held in Patna, the event focused on National Waterway-1 (river Ganga) and marked the first of its kind in the state capital.

Major Leaders in Attendance

The high-level event was attended by several key leaders and dignitaries, including Union Minister of Textiles Shri Giriraj Singh; Bihar Deputy Chief Ministers Samrat Chaudhary and Vijay Kumar Sinha; Bihar’s Water Resources Minister Vijay Kumar Chaudhary; Bihar’s Transport Minister Sheela Kumari; Uttar Pradesh Transport Minister Dayashankar Singh; West Bengal’s Minister of Irrigation & Waterways Manas Ranjan Bhunia; MPs Ravi Shankar Prasad and Sudama Prasad; Bihar Chief Secretary Amrit Lal Meena; IWAI Chairman Vijay Kumar; and top officials from both central and state governments.

A Vision for Sustainable River Development

Speaking at the workshop, Shri Sarbananda Sonowal paid tribute to the sacred river Ganga, highlighting its profound cultural and economic significance. Calling it “the heartbeat of the Indian subcontinent,” he emphasized the pivotal role of inland water transport (IWT), describing it as the cleanest, most affordable, and environmentally sustainable mode of transportation.

Key Announcements to Boost Bihar’s Waterways

The Union Minister announced a series of strategic infrastructure developments aimed at transforming Patna and Bihar into a hub of inland water-based commerce and mobility:

• Water Metro for Patna: Inspired by Kochi’s model, Patna is being considered for a water metro system to connect both banks of the Ganga, offering a sustainable and efficient urban transit solution.
• Ship Repair and Building Facility: A state-of-the-art ship repair and construction unit will be set up in Patna, strengthening the regional inland vessel ecosystem.
• Centre of Excellence at NINI: The National Inland Navigation Institute in Patna will be upgraded into a Centre of Excellence (CoE) with enhanced facilities and new investments.
• Joint Task Force Formation: A dedicated task force including the Bihar Government, IWAI, and the Ministry will be established to identify and advance sustainable development prospects along National Waterway-1 in Bihar.
• Enhanced Connectivity: 16 new community jetties will be added to the existing 21, providing local farmers and traders direct access to riverine markets.
• Hybrid Electric Vessels & Ro-Pax Terminals: Introduction of two hybrid electric catamarans, two Ro-Pax terminals, and four Quick Pontoon Opening Mechanisms (QPOMs) to improve green and efficient passenger movement.

These developments are aimed at transforming Patna into a Water Transport Hub on River Ganga (NW-1), furthering India’s goal of cleaner, greener, and more integrated transportation systems.

Progress Under Jal Marg Vikas Project (JMVP)

The Jal Marg Vikas Project, launched in 2018 at a cost of ₹5,061 crore, has been pivotal in the development of NW-1 between Haldia and Varanasi. As of May 2025:

• Project Completion: 68.86% of physical work has been completed.
• Cargo Growth: Cargo volume rose by 220%, from 5.05 MMT (2014–15) to 16.38 MMT (2024–25).
• Eco-conscious Design: The project integrates environmental safeguards such as zero liquid discharge, bio-toilets, and protective pingers for Gangetic dolphins.
• Comprehensive Infrastructure: Includes cargo terminals, community jetties supporting 1.22 lakh passengers daily, navigational locks, cruise terminals, and training infrastructure.

A National Perspective on Inland Waterways

Highlighting achievements since 2014 under PM Narendra Modi’s leadership, Shri Sonowal shared that:

• Operational national waterways have increased from 3 in 2014 to 29 todaywith a network of 111 declared NWs across 23 States and 4 UTs.
• The cumulative navigable length now stands at 20,187 km.
• Cargo movement has soared to 145.84 MMT in FY 2024–25, growing at a CAGR of 20.89%.
• IWAI now operates 124 terminals (27 permanent, 97 floating).
• The sector has seen a 700% increase in cargo movement, 800% growth in operational NWsand a 510% increase in investments since 2014.
• The share of bulk cargo (coal, cement, iron ore, fly ash, etc.) remains dominant at 85%.
• The number of river cruise routes has grown by 333% since 2013, opening doors to new tourism avenues.

To support this growth, the IWAI is conducting 10,000 km of depth surveys monthly, with expansion planned across 22 states and 4 UTs by 2027. A robust ₹35,000 crore project pipeline, including Public-Private Partnerships (PPP), is lined up for the next five years. The Union Budget allocation for the sector has also seen a 48% increase, rising from ₹1,203 crore in FY24 to ₹1,752 crore in FY25.

Conclusion

Through strategic investments, collaborative governance, and environmentally conscious development, Bihar is set to become a key player in the nation’s waterborne logistics and transportation ecosystem. As Shri Sarbananda Sonowal stated, these aren’t mere policy announcements but a clear declaration of intent—to make Bihar, with the Ganga at its heart, a beacon of sustainable, modern, and inclusive river-based development.