**Subject: Status of National Waterway Number 37 (Gandak River)**
This document summarizes the status of National Waterway (NW) No. 37, located on the Gandak River in Bihar, as of July 25, 2025. NW-37, declared under the National Waterways Act, 2016, spans 295.7 km from Valmiki Nagar (near Triveni) to the Ganga River confluence at Hajipur, connecting Valmiki Nagar Bridge at Bhaisalotan Barrage with Nepal.
In 2017-18, INR 12.91 crore was allocated for NW-37, covering: hydrographic and thalweg surveys, channel marking, bandalling, floating terminals, identification of cross-structures, stakeholder workshops, and trial movements. Hydrographic surveys have been completed from Valmiki Nagar Barrage (Triveni) to the Ganga confluence (Hazipur). Two steel floating pontoon jetties have been provisioned at Bettiah for local community use.
Currently, Rail India Technical and Economic Service (RITES) Ltd. is updating the Detailed Project Report (DPR) to assess the economic and social viability of developing Inland Water Transport (IWT) on NW-37, with the objective of strengthening trade relations between India and Nepal.
Key Entities Referenced
National Waterway Number 37: A national waterway on the Gandak River, also referred to as NW No. 37. It is intended to connect to Nepal.
Gandak River: The river on which National Waterway 37 is located. Originates in Nepal.
Bihar: The Indian state through which the Gandak River and National Waterway 37 flow.
Nepal: A neighboring country of India, connected to India via National Waterway 37.
Shri Sunil Kumar: Member of Parliament who raised the question about National Waterway 37.
SHRI SARBANANDA SONOWAL: Minister of Ports, Shipping and Waterways who answered the question about National Waterway 37.
National Waterways Act, 2016: The act under which the Gandak River was declared as National Waterway NW No. 37.
Rail India Technical and Economic Service (RITES) Ltd.: A company tasked with updating the Detailed Project Report (DPR) for National Waterway 37.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF PORTS, SHIPPING AND WATERWAYS
LOK SABHA
STARRED QUESTION NO. *99
ANSWERED ON 25.07.2025
STATUS OF NATIONAL WATERWAY NUMBER 37
*99. SHRI SUNIL KUMAR:
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) whether the Government had identified National Waterway Number 37 on Gandak
river in Bihar from Saran up to Nepal border via Champaran to develop it as an
international waterway, if so, the details thereof;
(b) whether an amount of Rs. 150 crore was sanctioned for the survey work of the said
waterway and some part of survey work was completed as well, if so, the details thereof;
(c) whether there was also a proposal to set up six terminals along the Gandak river to
operate the said waterway, if so, the details thereof; and
(d) whether the Government proposes to approve the said waterway and make it
operational to strengthen trade relations between India and Nepal by way of discovering
new waterways, if so, the details thereof?
ANSWER
MINISTRY OF PORTS, SHIPPING AND WATERWAYS
(SHRI SARBANANDA SONOWAL)
(a) to(d) A Statement is laid on the Table of the House.STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PARTS (a) TO (d) OF LOK SABHA
STARRED QUESTION NO. *99 FOR 25.07.2025 RAISED BY SHRI SUNIL KUMAR,
HON’BLE M.P. ON “STATUS OF NATIONAL WATERWAY NUMBER 37”
(a) Gandak River has been declared as National Waterway (NW) No. 37 from Valmiki
Nagar near Triveni to the Ganga River confluence at Hajipur (stretch of 295.7 km) under
the National Waterways Act, 2016.This NW connects Valimiki Nagar Bridge at
Bhaisalotan Barrage and provides connectivity with Nepal.
(b) & (c) An amount of Rs. 12.91 crore for NW-37 was approved during the year 2017-
18, which included the following works:
1. Hydrographic Survey (Thalweg Survey & Detailed Hydrographic Survey of
shoals)
2. Channel Marking
3. Bandalling
4. Floating Terminals
5. Identification of Cross Structures
6. Stakeholder Workshops
7. Conduct Trial Movements
Further, Hydrographic Survey from Valmiki Nagar Barrage (Triveni) to Ganga
Confluence (Hazipur) has also been conducted. Moreover, two steel floating
pontoons/jetties have been provisioned at Bettiah for utilization by the local community.
(d) The updation of Detailed Project Report (DPR) has been taken up through M/s
Rail India Technical and Economic Service (RITES) Ltd. for exploring the possibilities
of Inland Water Transport (IWT) development based on economical and social viability.
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