Executive Summary:
The Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways addressed Lok Sabha Question No. 3409 on August 8, 2025, regarding the Inland Waterways Development Council (IWDC) investment in Bihar. The response details fund utilization, key project status, river vessel density classification, and the proposed Riverine Community Development Scheme. Implementation of projects announced during the second meeting of IWDC has started.
Key Points / Main Content:
Financial Information:
* Out of the ₹1405.26 crore investment announced, ₹45.01 crore has been spent to date.
* Procurement of 4 Quick Pontoon Opening Mechanisms (QPOMs) at an estimated cost of ₹40 crore has been initiated.
Project Status in Bihar:
* Completed Projects: IMT Kalughat, 2 RoPax Vessels (MV Rajendra Prasad and MV Swami Paramhans handed over to State Govt), 21 Community Jetties.
* Ongoing Projects: Deployment of 1 QPOM at Maujampur Ara, Fairway Maintenance (Farakka Kahalgaon stretch, Sultanganj Mahenderpur stretch, Mahenderpur Barh stretch, BarhDigha Stretch, Digha Majhaua stretch), National Inland Navigation Institute (NINI) Operational in Patna, Gaighat Terminal, Patna, Kalughat Access Channel Development, Development of NINI as Center of Excellence (Infrastructure upgradation i.e. classrooms and training equipment), Onshore facilities for community jetties (Being constructed for 8 locations).
River Traffic Classification:
* No river stretches in Bihar are classified as high or medium vessel density under the National River Traffic and Navigation System (NRTNS).
Riverine Community Development Scheme:
* Arth Ganga concept included in Jal Marg Vikas Project for socioeconomic development along the Ganga.
* Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI) is constructing 60 community jetties (Bihar: 21, Uttar Pradesh: 15, Jharkhand: 2, West Bengal: 22).
* All 21 community jetties in Bihar have been commissioned, with daily passenger footfall ranging from 64,000 to 122,000.
Impact Analysis:
Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways:
* Impact: Responsible for overseeing the implementation of IWDC projects and the Riverine Community Development Scheme.
* Action Required: Continue monitoring project progress, allocate funds as needed, and ensure the effective implementation of the Arth Ganga initiative.
Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI):
* Impact: Tasked with constructing and maintaining community jetties and promoting inland waterway accessibility.
* Action Required: Continue construction and maintenance efforts, monitor passenger footfall at community jetties, and ensure infrastructure meets the needs of local communities.
State Government of Bihar:
* Impact: Benefits from infrastructure development, improved transportation, and socioeconomic opportunities for river-dependent populations.
* Action Required: Collaborate with the Ministry and IWAI on project implementation, ensure effective utilization of infrastructure, and support the Riverine Community Development Scheme.
Local Communities in Bihar:
* Impact: Improved access to transportation, increased economic opportunities, and enhanced quality of life through the Arth Ganga initiative.
* Action Required: Utilize community jetties for transportation and commerce, participate in socioeconomic development programs, and provide feedback on the effectiveness of implemented projects.
Key Entities Referenced
Riverine Community Development Scheme: A proposed scheme to improve the socioeconomic conditions of river-dependent populations, especially in flood-prone regions. A pilot version is proposed for Bihar.
Arth Ganga: A project included in Jal Marg Vikas Project to energize socioeconomic development along the banks of the Ganga river.
Inland Waterways Authority of India IWAI: An autonomous body under the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways, responsible for the construction of community jetties under the Arth Ganga project.
IMT Kalughat: Location where MV Rajendra Prasad and MV Swami are developed in Saran district, Bihar.
National Inland Navigation Institute NINI: Operational institute in Patna, being developed as center of excellence.
Inland Waterways Development Council IWDC: A council related to the development of inland waterways in India. The investment was announced during the second meeting of the council.
Bihar: A state in India where the investment package is focused on, specifically for inland waterways development.
National River Traffic and Navigation System NRTNS: A system for classifying river stretches based on vessel density. No stretches in Bihar are currently classified as high or medium density under this system.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF PORTS, SHIPPING AND WATERWAYS
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3409
ANSWERED ON 08.08.2025
INVESTMENT PACKAGE FOR IWDC IN BIHAR
3409. SHRI RAJIV PRATAP RUDY:
Will the Minister of PORTS, SHIPPING AND WATERWAYS be pleased to state:
प(cid:517)न, पोत प(cid:303)रवहन और जलमाग(cid:330) मं(cid:361)ी
(a) the amount of funds released and utilised so far out of the 1405.26 crore
investment announced during the second meeting of the Inland Waterways
Development Council (IWDC), particularly in the State of Bihar;
(b) the details of key projects approved along with their implementation status in
the State under the said investment package;
(c) whether any stretches of rivers in the State have been classified as high or
medium vessel density under the National River Traffic and Navigation System
(NRT&NS), if so, the details thereof; and
(d) whether the Government proposes to introduce a pilot version of the Riverine
Community Development Scheme in Bihar to improve the socio-economic conditions
of river-dependent populations, especially in flood-prone regions, if so, the details
thereof?
ANSWER
MINISTER OF PORTS, SHIPPING AND WATERWAYS
(SHRI SARBANANDA SONOWAL)
(a) & (b) Implementation of the projects has been started after the announcement at
the second meeting of the Inland Waterways Development Council (IWDC). Till date
an expenditure of Rs. 45.01 crore has been incurred. In respect of Bihar, the projects
announced during the second meeting of IWDC include procurement of 4 Quick
Pontoon Opening Mechanisms (QPOMs) with estimated cost of about Rs.40 crore,
the procurement process for which has been initiated. The details of
completed/ongoing projects in the State of Bihar are at Annexure.
(c) No stretch of river in the State has been classified as high or medium vessel
density under the National River Traffic and Navigation System (NRT&NS).(d) Concept of Arth Ganga was included in Jal Marg Vikas Project to energize
socio-economic development along the banks of the Ganga river with the aim for
inclusive growth to play a key role in improving the livelihoods of people by providing
simple logistics solutions for small farmers, fishery units, unorganised farm producing
units, horticulturists, florists and artisans. Under the Arth Ganga, Inland Waterways
Authority of India (IWAI), an autonomous body under the Ministry of Ports, Shipping
and Waterways has taken up construction of 60 community jetties (Uttar Pradesh –
15, Bihar – 21, Jharkhand – 2, West Bengal – 22), localized berthing stations for small
vessels to enhance the accessibility and utility of inland waterways, particularly for
rural and semi-urban communities. All 21 community jetties in Bihar have been
commissioned. Daily footfall of passengers at community jetties ranges between
64,000 to 1,22,000.Annexure
Projects in Bihar
Completed/Ongoing Projects
S.No. Name of Project Details
Developed in Saran, Bihar
1. IMT Kalughat
MV Rajendra Prasad and MV Swami
2. 2 Ro-Pax Vessels Paramhans Handed over to State Govt.
21 Community jetties developed and
3. Community Jetties commissioned
Quick Pontoon Opening 1 QPOM deployed at Maujampur (Ara)
4.
Mechanism (QPOM)
Farakka - Kahalgaon stretch
Sultanganj – Mahenderpur stretch
5. Fairway Maintenance
Mahenderpur - Barh stretch
National Inland
Operational in Patna
6. Navigation Institute
(NINI)
Operational
7. Gaighat Terminal, Patna
Farakka - Kahalgaon stretch
Sultanganj – Mahenderpur - Barh stretch
Barh-Digha Stretch
8. Fairway Maintenance
Digha – Majhaua stretch
Kalughat Access Channel
Development of NINI as Infrastructure upgradation i.e. classrooms and
9.
Center of Excellence,) training equipment
Onshore facilities for Being constructed for 8 locations
10.
community jetties
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