Executive Summary:
The document is a response to questions raised in Lok Sabha regarding the Jal Marg Vikas Project (JMVP) and community jetties. It clarifies the project's scope, benefits, maintenance, and impact assessment, particularly in the states of Bihar and Maharashtra. The initiative aims to enhance socioeconomic conditions through improved inland water transport connectivity and sustainable development along riverbanks.
Key Points / Main Content:
* Jal Marg Vikas Project (JMVP):
* JMVP is a World Bank-assisted project focused on capacity augmentation of National Waterway-1 (NW-1) on the Ganga-Bhagirathi-Hooghly river system.
* The project covers Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand, and West Bengal, but does not include the State of Maharashtra.
* Community Jetties:
* Developed under the Arth Ganga initiative, community jetties aim to synergize economic activities along riverbanks and improve Inland Water Transport (IWT) connectivity.
* These jetties provide economic benefits such as reduced transportation costs, growth of small-scale industries, employment opportunities, and improved logistics for farmers, traders, and local communities.
* They are also used for river cruise tourism.
* In Bihar, 21 community jetties have been commissioned, with plans for further deployment based on the State's projected requirements.
* Maintenance and Sustainability:
* Community jetties are maintained through a State Support Agreement (SSA) between the Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI) and the concerned State Governments.
* Impact Assessment:
* IWAI conducts regular impact assessments of these jetties in Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand, and West Bengal through a third party.
* The jetties have a positive impact on local fisheries, tourism, and overall economic development.
* They facilitate livelihood creation, generate employment in construction, cargo/cruise/passenger ferry operation, ancillary services (boat repair), and improve connectivity.
Impact Analysis:
* Local Communities in Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand, and West Bengal:
* Impact: Improved socioeconomic conditions through enhanced trade, tourism, livelihood support, reduced transportation costs, and employment opportunities.
* Action Required: Utilize the jetties for trade, tourism, and transportation purposes, and engage in related economic activities.
* State Governments (Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand, and West Bengal):
* Impact: Responsible for the maintenance of community jetties through State Support Agreements (SSA) with IWAI.
* Action Required: Maintain the jetties to ensure their sustainability and maximize their utility for the communities they serve.
* Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI):
* Impact: Oversees the development, maintenance, and impact assessment of community jetties.
* Action Required: Continue to conduct regular impact assessments and work with State Governments to maintain the jetties.
Key Entities Referenced
Jal Marg Vikas Project: A World Bank assisted project for capacity augmentation of National Waterway 1 (NW1) on Ganga-Bhaghirathi-Hooghly river system, focusing on inland waterways development.
Maharashtra: A state in India, specifically mentioned in the context of community jetties and their impact.
Bihar: A state in India where community jetties have been commissioned to support local trade, tourism, and livelihoods.
Ganga-Bhaghirathi-Hooghly river system: The river system on which National Waterway 1 (NW1) is located and a focal point of the Jal Marg Vikas Project.
National Waterway 1: A significant inland waterway in India targeted for capacity augmentation under the Jal Marg Vikas Project.
Inland Waterways Authority of India: An autonomous body under the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways responsible for the development and regulation of inland waterways.
Arth Ganga: An initiative focusing on sustainable development and synergizing economic activities along riverbanks by improving Inland Water Transport (IWT) connectivity.
Uttar Pradesh: A state in India where IWAI is conducting regular impact assessment of jetties through a third party.
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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