**Summary:**
This document summarizes the status of ship navigation on the River Ganga, specifically the Varanasi to Haldia route, under the Jal Marg Vikas Project (JMVP). Navigation of inland vessels is currently ongoing on National Waterway-1 (NW-1), the Ganga-Bhagirathi-Hooghly River System, connecting Haldia to Varanasi.
The JMVP, a World Bank-assisted project, aims to augment the capacity of NW-1, which passes through Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand, and West Bengal. The project anticipates creating over 130,000 direct and indirect employment opportunities. Completed developments under the JMVP include fairways, navigational aids, community jetties, and terminals, designed to stimulate socio-economic development along the riverbanks. These facilities are intended to improve the livelihoods of communities, including farmers, fishermen (Mallah), local traders, horticulturists, and artisans. Fifty-three (53) community jetties have been commissioned along NW-1.
The cost for a ship to navigate this route varies depending on factors such as size, draft, engine capacity, cargo load, and river current. According to a World Bank study, the operating cost of Inland Water Transport (IWT) is approximately Rs. 1.2 per Ton Kilometer. Vessel movement on NW-1 during FY 2024-25 was recorded as 4,229.
Key Entities Referenced
River Ganga: A major river in India, also known as the Ganges. The policy discusses navigation of ships on this river.
Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh: A city in Uttar Pradesh, India, a key point in the navigation route on the River Ganga.
Haldia, West Bengal: A city in West Bengal, India, a key point in the navigation route on the River Ganga.
Jal Marg Vikas Project: A project focused on the development of inland waterways, specifically the River Ganga, for navigation.
Uttar Pradesh: A state in India through which the River Ganga flows and is part of the Jal Marg Vikas Project.
Bihar: A state in India through which the River Ganga flows and is part of the Jal Marg Vikas Project.
West Bengal: A state in India through which the River Ganga flows and is part of the Jal Marg Vikas Project.
National Waterway 1 (NW1) GangaBhagirathiHooghly River System: The specific waterway on the Ganga-Bhagirathi-Hooghly river system being developed under the Jal Marg Vikas Project.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF PORTS, SHIPPING AND WATERWAYS
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2278
ANSWERED ON 01.08.2025
NAVIGATION OF SHIPS
2278. SHRI LAXMIKANT PAPPU NISHAD:
Will the Minister of PORTS, SHIPPING AND WATERWAYS be pleased to state:
प(cid:517)न, पोत प(cid:303)रवहन एवं जलमाग(cid:330) मं(cid:361)ालय
(a) the time by which the navigation of ships is likely to be started on the river Ganga
from Varanasi to Haldia under the Jal Marg Vikas Project;
(b) whether employment opportunities have been generated for the people of the
Mallah and fisherman communities of Uttar Pradesh, Bihar and West Bengal through
the navigation of ships;
(c) if so, the details thereof;
(d) the total cost of ship navigation on the river Ganga from Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh
to Haldia, West Bengal under the Jal Marg Vikas Project; and
(e) the number and details of ships likely to move on this route daily?
ANSWER
MINISTER OF PORTS, SHIPPING AND WATERWAYS
(SHRI SARBANANDA SONOWAL)
(a) Navigation of inland vessels is ongoing on River Ganga [National Waterway-1
(NW-1) Ganga-Bhagirathi-Hooghly River System] from the Haldia to Varanasi.
(b) & (c) Jal Marg Vikas Project (JMVP) is the World Bank assisted project for capacity
augmentation of National Waterway-1 (NW-1) passing through the states of Uttar
Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand and West Bengal. The implementation of JMVP envisages
creation of more than 1.3 lakh direct and indirect employment. Under JMVP, fairway,
navigational aids, community jetties and terminals have already been developed with
the purpose to energize socio-economic development along banks of River Ganga.
These facilities are aimed at inclusive growth by improving livelihood of people living
along banks of River Ganga & nearby regions by providing simple logistics solutions.
Fifty three (53) community jetties have already been commissioned along NW-1 shall
benefit farmers, mallah, fishermen, local traders, horticulturists, artisans, etc. by
providing employment opportunities.(d) Cost for a ship to navigate on the river Ganga from Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh to
Haldia, West Bengal depends upon the size, draft, engine capacity, cargo load, river
current etc. As per the study conducted by the World Bank, the operating cost of
Inland Water Transport (IWT) mode is Rs. 1.2 per Ton Kilometre.
(e) Movement of 4229 vessels in NW-1 recorded during FY 2024-25.
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