Patna Set for Major Inland Waterways Infrastructure Boost
In a significant development for Bihar's transportation infrastructure, State Transport Minister Shrawan Kumar announced on Monday that 20,000 square meters of land has been identified in Patna for the construction of a state-of-the-art ship repair centre. This ambitious project comes with an estimated cost of approximately Rs 243 crore and represents a major step forward in enhancing the region's inland waterways capabilities.
Accelerated Timeline for Ship Repair Facility
The minister revealed that technical bids will be opened for construction on February 10, with the entire project expected to be completed within 24 months of work commencement. The Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI) has been actively expediting the tender process to ensure timely implementation.
Currently, the only ship repair facility on National Waterway-1 is located in Kolkata, forcing all vessels from the region to travel there for maintenance. This results in significant wastage of both time and financial resources for operators and businesses relying on water transport.
Strategic Location and Comprehensive Facilities
The allocated land is situated on the southern bank of the Ganga River in Patna, strategically positioned to serve vessels operating along this crucial waterway. The new centre will feature comprehensive facilities including:
- Mechanical repair workshops
- Electrical equipment maintenance bays
- Heavy equipment repair capabilities
- Vessel handling and lifting infrastructure
The infrastructure will include specialized equipment such as:
- Slipway structure (sloping concrete platform)
- Side slipway for smaller vessels
- Concrete platform for vessel maintenance
- Ship lift and transfer system
- 800-tonne capacity marine boat hoist
- Hydraulic trailer systems
Parallel Development: Patna Water Metro System
In a parallel development, Minister Kumar announced that a detailed project report (DPR) is being prepared by RITES for a comprehensive water metro system in Patna. Modeled after the successful Kochi Water Metro, this project carries an estimated cost of Rs 1200 crore.
The water metro initiative will include:
- Construction of modern jetties
- Development of passenger terminals
- Procurement of specialized vessels
Following the tender process, there are plans to acquire 22 hybrid vessels for regular ferry services connecting Patna and surrounding ghats. These innovative vessels are designed to operate efficiently even in water as shallow as one metre, making them particularly suitable for the region's waterways.
Immediate Implementation and Route Network
Current trials are already underway for one electric hybrid water metro, with another vessel expected to arrive in Patna shortly. These initial water metros will operate along a comprehensive route network connecting:
- Kangan Ghat
- Gaighat
- Gandhi Ghat
- Digha Ghat
- Nariyal Ghat
- Panapur
- Konhara Ghat
- Kali Ghat (Sonepur)
- Chhechhar Ghat
National Waterway-1 Enhancement and Regulatory Framework
These infrastructure projects will significantly strengthen National Waterway-1 (Ganga) while providing affordable and alternative transportation options for Patna residents. The developments align with the central government's Vision 2047, which aims to increase waterways usage for passenger transport across India from 6% to 12%.
The ship repair centre will include essential maintenance bays such as:
- Primary repair bay for major vessel work
- Small vessel bay for minor repairs
- Additional raft foundation slab for structural work
All vessels operating in inland waterways are required to comply with the Inland Vessels Act 2021, which mandates:
- Regular vessel registration
- Annual safety surveys including insurance verification
- Passenger safety equipment checks
- Valid competency certificates for operating crew
- Mandatory dry dock inspection every four years
These comprehensive infrastructure developments represent a transformative moment for Patna's transportation landscape, promising to reduce operational costs for vessel operators while providing enhanced connectivity and affordable travel options for the public. The dual projects of the ship repair centre and water metro system demonstrate Bihar's commitment to developing modern, sustainable transportation infrastructure that leverages the state's natural waterways.
