Bihar's Seven National Waterways Set for Major Development to Boost Trade and Transport
In a significant move to revolutionize transportation infrastructure, Bihar's rural development and transport minister Shrawan Kumar announced on Friday that seven declared national waterways in the state will be developed to position Bihar as a major hub for inland water transport. The ambitious plan aims to transform the state's economic landscape through enhanced connectivity and reduced logistics costs.
Comprehensive Waterway Network Spanning 1,187 Kilometers
Bihar boasts seven national waterways including the iconic Ganga River, along with Gandak, Kosi, and Sone rivers, creating an extensive network with a combined length of 1,187 kilometers. Addressing the third meeting of the Inland Waterways Development Council in Kochi, Minister Kumar emphasized that inland water transport presents a substantially cheaper alternative to traditional road and rail systems.
The economic advantage is substantial, with the average cost of freight transport by waterway standing at just Rs 1.3 per tonme-kilometer. This compares favorably with Rs 2.41 for rail transport and Rs 3.62 for road transportation. "This development will not only dramatically reduce transportation costs but also decrease road traffic congestion by an estimated 30-40%," Kumar stated during his address.
Strategic Infrastructure Development and Employment Generation
The state government is making rapid progress toward establishing Bihar as a premier water transport hub. To build essential skilled manpower, Kumar announced that inland waterway navigation training institutes will be opened in three strategic locations:
- Buxar
- Bhagalpur
- Darbhanga
These institutes will operate under the guidance of the Patna-based National Inland Navigation Institute (NINI) and aim to generate substantial employment opportunities for local youth in the burgeoning inland water transport sector.
Critical Dredging Operations and Institutional Reforms
Minister Kumar stressed the urgent need for dredging operations in the Kosi and Sone rivers to ensure adequate water depth for smooth navigation throughout the year. "Dredging is essential for navigational clearance to create efficient freight corridors for cargo movement and effectively link them with national highways," he explained.
The development of inland waterways is being actively promoted under the central government's Sagarmala scheme, with port lands to be developed through collaboration between multiple agencies:
- Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways
- Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI)
- National Inland Navigation Institute (NINI)
"There are concrete plans to reorganize the Inland Water Transport Department in Bihar and establish a dedicated Bihar Maritime Board," Kumar added, highlighting the institutional framework being put in place.
Urban Transport Revolution: Patna Water Metro and Cruise Terminals
Referring to urban transportation innovations, Kumar revealed that the Patna water metro project is rapidly becoming a reality. Beyond the existing quick point of mobilization at Ara, he has requested three additional QPOMs at strategic locations:
- Digha
- Danapur
- Fatuha
"Two hybrid electric catamaran vessels are arriving to operate in both battery and hybrid modes. These will be zero-emission and quiet, significantly boosting commercial and tourism activities," the minister announced enthusiastically.
Cruise terminals are currently under development at Digha Ghat and Kangan Ghat in Patna, complemented by a dedicated ship repair facility. Kumar also advocated for revision of the water carrier scheme, seeking a reduction in the minimum distance requirement from 300 kilometers to 100 kilometers to better suit Bihar's city network configuration.
Multimodal Connectivity and Economic Impact
Highlighting existing infrastructure achievements, Minister Kumar pointed to the multimodal terminal at Kalu Ghat, which has the capacity to handle an impressive 77,000 container loads annually. The seamless integration of water, rail, and road connectivity at this facility substantially reduces both time and cost of freight movement across the region.
The comprehensive development of Bihar's waterways represents a transformative initiative that promises to reshape the state's transportation ecosystem, create thousands of jobs, reduce logistics costs, and establish Bihar as a national leader in inland water transport infrastructure.
