Jal Marg Vikas Project Boosts Inland Water Transport on Ganga
The Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI), under the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways, is implementing the World Bank-assisted Jal Marg Vikas Project (JMVP) to enhance cargo movement and infrastructure along National Waterway-1 (NW-1), spanning 1,390 km from Varanasi to Haldia via the Ganga-Bhagirathi-Hooghly river system.
Key infrastructure developed under JMVP includes three multimodal terminals in Varanasi (Uttar Pradesh), Sahibganj (Jharkhand), and Haldia (West Bengal), one intermodal terminal at Kalughat (Bihar), a new navigational lock at Farakka (West Bengal), two quick pontoon opening mechanisms, and 53 community jetties across Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand, and West Bengal. Additionally, multimodal logistics hubs are being developed in Varanasi and Sahibganj to improve last-mile connectivity and reduce logistics costs.
These interventions have resulted in cargo traffic on NW-1 rising significantly—from 5.05 million tonnes in 2014-15 to 16.4 million tonnes in 2024-25. So far, the project has seen an investment of approximately ₹3,600 crore.
IWAI has invested ₹661.44 crore in completed and ongoing projects in Uttar Pradesh, which include:
- ₹182.33 crore for a multimodal terminal in Varanasi
- ₹17 crore for 11 community jetties in Varanasi, Chandauli, Ghazipur, and Ballia
- ₹4 crore for two jetties in Ayodhya on NW-40 (Ghaghara River)
- ₹25.6 crore for electric catamarans in Varanasi and Ayodhya
- ₹22.62 crore for India’s first hydrogen fuel cell vessel in Varanasi
- ₹78.64 crore for fairway development from Majhauwa to Ghazipur
- ₹7.82 crore for four steel community jetties in Ballia and Ghazipur
- ₹102.98 crore for fairway development between Ghazipur and Varanasi
- ₹12 crore for IWT jetties in Mathura on the Yamuna River
- ₹8.45 crore for dredging works in Ayodhya and Mathura
- ₹200 crore for a river cruise terminal in Varanasi
To promote water transport in the state, the Government of Uttar Pradesh has enacted the Uttar Pradesh Inland Waterways Authority Act, 2023, and the Inland Waterways Rules, 2025. The state has designated Divisional Transport Officers as registrars for vessel registration, with administrative coordination led by the Transport Commissioner’s office in Lucknow.
Regular stakeholder meetings are conducted to engage local entrepreneurs and raise awareness about inland water transport benefits.
While NW-110 (Yamuna River) passes through Etawah and Auraiya, no development plans have been initiated there due to feasibility concerns.
