Parliament Question: Jal Marg Vikas Project

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF PORTS, SHIPPING AND WATERWAYS LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3255 ANSWERED ON 08.08.2025 JAL MARG VIKAS PROJECT

3255. SHRI RAJESH VERMA:

SMT. SHAMBHAVI:

SHRI RAVINDRA DATTARAM WAIKAR:

SHRI NARESH GANPAT MHASKE:

DR. SHRIKANT EKNATH SHINDE:

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 manner in which the construction of community jetties under the Jal Marg Vikas Project (JMVP) is expected to enhance the socio-economic conditions of local communities in the State of Maharashtra;

(b) the specific benefits these floating jetties provides for local trade, tourism and livelihood support in riverine areas in the States of Bihar and Maharashtra;

(c) whether there are plans for further expansion of jetty construction to promote inland waterways transportation and its economic potential in the said States;

(d) the manner in which the Government ensures the maintenance and sustainability of these jetties to maximize their utility for the communities they serve; and

(e) the measures being taken to assess the impact of these jetties on local fisheries, tourism and overall economic development in the said regions? ANSWER MINISTER OF PORTS, SHIPPING AND WATERWAYS (SHRI SARBANANDA SONOWAL)

(a) The Jal Marg Vikas Project (JMVP) is a World Bank assisted project for capacity augmentation of National Waterway-1 (NW-1) on Ganga-Bhaghirathi-Hooghly river system, passing through the states of Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand and West Bengal. However, it does not cover the State of Maharashtra.

(b) & (c) The community jetties are developed under the initiative of Arth Ganga focusing on sustainable development and synergizing economic activities along the riverbanks by improving Inland Water Transport (IWT) connectivity. These jetties provide economic benefits to farmers, traders, and local communities in terms of reduced transportation cost, growth of small scale industries, employmentopportunities, improved logistics etc. Moreover, these jetties are used for river cruise tourism purpose. In the State of Bihar, total 21 community jetties have been commissioned and further deployment of additional community jetties is also planned based upon the requirements projected by the State.

(d) Community jetties are maintained through a State Support Agreement (SSA) between Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI), an autonomous body under the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways and the concerned State Governments.

(e) IWAI is conducting regular impact assessment of these jetties in the States of Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand and West Bengal through a third party. These jetties have positive impact on local fisheries, tourism and overall economic development of the region. They encourage development of local trades, facilitate livelihood creation, generates several direct and indirect employment opportunities in areas of construction, cargo/cruise/passenger ferry operation, and ancillary services like - boat repair, first and last mile connectivity etc. resulting in reduced logistics cost.

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