**Summary:**
The Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways is actively developing Inland Water Transport (IWT) infrastructure in Uttar Pradesh through the Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI). Completed projects include the development of a multimodal terminal at Varanasi (cost: Rs. 182.33 Cr), installation of 11 community jetties in Varanasi, Chandauli, Ghazipur, and Ballia (cost: Rs. 17 Cr), installation of 2 jetties at Ayodhya on NW40 Ghaghara River, deployment of 2 electric catamarans at Varanasi and Ayodhya (cost: Rs. 25.6 Cr), and deployment of 1 Hydrogen Fuel Cell Vessel at Varanasi (cost: Rs. 22.62 Cr). The total cost of completed projects is Rs. 251.55 Cr.
Ongoing projects in Uttar Pradesh include fairway development at Majhauwa Ghazipur (cost: Rs. 78.64 Cr), development of 4 steel community jetties in Ballia and Ghazipur (cost: Rs. 7.82 Cr), fairway development from Ghazipur to Varanasi (cost: Rs. 102.98 Cr), development of IWT jetties at Mathura in Yamuna and Ayodhya Mathura (6 installed, 2 in progress) (cost: Rs. 12.00 Cr), quantity-based dredging between Guptarghat NW40 and NayaghatJugal Kishore ghat Gokul Barrage NW110 (cost: Rs. 8.45 Cr), development of a river cruise terminal at Varanasi (cost: Rs. 200 Cr), development of a regional centre of excellence at Varanasi (cost: Rs. 150 Cr), and development of a ship repair facility (cost: Rs. 50 Cr).
A major challenge addressed by the government is the availability of fairway and terminal infrastructure, which is being tackled through dredging, bandalling, and jetty construction. IWAI has acquired 75 acres of land in the Chandauli district for a logistics hub (freight village) adjacent to the Varanasi multimodal terminal. This freight village aims to generate employment in logistics and allied sectors, support local MSMEs and farmers, and reduce city road congestion.
This information was provided by the Union Minister of Port, Shipping and Waterways, Shri Sarbananda Sonowal, in a written reply to the Lok Sabha on July 25, 2025.
Key Entities Referenced
Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways: The Indian government ministry responsible for ports, shipping, and waterways.
Inland Water Transport (IWT): Refers to the transportation of goods and people on navigable inland waterways.
Uttar Pradesh: A state in India where the IWT projects are being developed.
IWAI: Inland Waterways Authority of India, responsible for the development and regulation of inland waterways.
Varanasi: A city in Uttar Pradesh, India, where several IWT projects are located, including a multimodal terminal and river cruise terminal.
Ghazipur: A district in Uttar Pradesh, India, where fairway development and community jetties are being developed.
Ayodhya, Uttar Pradesh: A city in Uttar Pradesh on NW40 Ghaghara River, where jetties and electric catamarans have been deployed.
Shri Sarbananda Sonowal: The Union Minister of Ports, Shipping and Waterways.
Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways
Inland Water Transport Development in Uttar
Pradesh
Posted On: 25 JUL 2025 1:30PM by PIB Delhi
The details of sanctioned projects in Uttar Pradesh under Inland Water Transport (IWT) development by
IWAI with status & economic impact are given below. The economic impact includes creation of
supplementary mode of transport, reduced logistic cost, boost river cruise tourism and lower carbon emission.
IWT Projects in Uttar Pradesh
Projects completed in Uttar Pradesh
S l . Cost (Rs.
Name of Sub Project
No. Cr.)
1. Development of Multimodal Terminal at Varanasi 182.33
Development of 11 Community Jetties in Varanasi, Chandauli, Ghazipur and Ballia in Uttar
2. 17
Pradesh
3 2 Jetties Installed at Ayodhya, UP on NW-40 (Ghaghara River) 4
4 2 Electric Catamarans deployed at Varanasi and Ayodhya 25.6
5 1 Hydrogen Fuel Cell Vessel at Varanasi 22.62
Sub Total 251.55
Projects on-going in Uttar Pradesh
S l . Cost (Rs.
Name of Sub Project
No. Cr.)
1. Fairway Development Majhauwa – Ghazipur 78.64
Development of 4 Nos Steel Community Jetties in Ballia and Ghazipur,
2 7.82
UP
3 Fairway Development from Ghazipur to Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh 102.98
Development of IWT Jetties (6-installed; 2-work in progress) at Mathura
4. 12.00
in Yamuna
Ayodhya& Mathura Projects - Quantity based dredging
5. between Guptarghat (NW-40) and Nayaghat&Jugal Kishore 8.45
ghat –Gokul Barrage (NW-110)
6. Development of River Cruise Terminal at Varanasi 200
7. Development of Regional Centre of Excellence at Varanasi 150
8. Development of Ship Repair facility 50The major challenge faced in Inland Water Transport relates to availability of fairway and terminal
infrastructure, which has been addressed by the Government through dredging/bandalling and construction of
jetties.
IWAI has acquired 75 acres of land in Chandauli district of Uttar Pradesh for development of a logistics hub
i.e. freight village, adjacent to the Varanasi multi-modal terminal. The freight village offers numerous benefits
including employment generation in logistics and allied sectors, support for local MSMEs and farmers
through better storage and transport, reduced city road congestion.
This information was given by the Union Minister of Port, Shipping and Waterways, Shri Sarbananda
Sonowal in written reply to the Lok Sabha.
***
SR/GDH/SJ/HK
(Release ID: 2148286)