**Executive Summary**
This document presents the response of the Minister of Ports, Shipping and Waterways to Lok Sabha Unstarred Question No. 2105, answered on December 12, 2025, concerning the status of National Waterways 37 (Gandak River) and 58 (Kosi River) in Bihar. The response provides updates on feasibility studies, DPR preparation, cargo/passenger movement potential, jetty development, and cross-border water trade protocols. The document references hydrographic surveys carried out in 2024.
**Key Points / Main Content**
* **Status of NW-37 and NW-58:**
* The Gandak River and the Kosi River were declared National Waterways (NW-37 and NW-58) under the National Waterways Act, 2016.
* **Infrastructure and Studies:**
* Two jetties have been deployed on NW-37 (River Gandak) at Mangalpur (Nautan) and opposite bank in Bettiah.
* Rs. 92.75 lakh has been provided to M/s. Rail India Technical and Economic Service Ltd. (RITES) to update the DPR for NW-37, originally prepared by the Government of Bihar in 2013.
* IWAI conducted a hydrographic survey in NW-58 (River Kosi) in 2024; however, the river was not found feasible for cargo movement.
* **Cargo and Passenger Movement Potential:**
* Upgradation of the DPR for the Gandak river has been awarded to M/s RITES to ascertain the potential for cargo and passenger movement.
* **Operationalization of NW-37:**
* Two community jetties have been deployed for operationalization of NW-37 (River Gandak).
* **NW-58 Interventions:**
* No interventions are planned for the River Kosi (NW-58) at present, as it was not found feasible for cargo movement.
* **Cross-Border Trade Protocol:**
* Routes, including waterways for cargo movement, are already included in the Treaty of Transit between the Governments of India and Nepal.
**Impact Analysis**
**Stakeholder:** Local Communities in Bihar (specifically around the Gandak River)
* **Impact:** Enhanced transportation infrastructure (jetties) may improve connectivity and economic opportunities if DPR proves this to be the case.
* **Action Required:** Potentially utilize new transportation options and adjust activities to leverage waterway improvements.
**Stakeholder:** Government of India (Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways & Inland Waterways Authority of India)
* **Impact:** Responsible for the development and maintenance of National Waterways, requiring resource allocation and strategic planning.
* **Action Required:** Continue to monitor NW-37 development, evaluate the updated DPR, and adhere to agreements with Nepal regarding cross-border trade.
**Stakeholder:** M/s Rail India Technical and Economic Service Ltd. (RITES)
* **Impact:** Responsible for upgrading the DPR for the Gandak river and determining its cargo and passenger movement potential.
* **Action Required:** Complete the DPR and provide relevant information to the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways.
Key Entities Referenced
National Waterways Act, 2016: Act under which River Gandak and River Kosi were declared as National Waterways 37 and 58
Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways: Central ministry responsible for the development and regulation of ports, shipping, and waterways in India, including National Waterways 37 and 58
National Waterway 37 (Gandak River): One of the national waterways discussed in the document. It is the Gandak River.
National Waterway 58 (Kosi River): One of the national waterways discussed in the document. It is the Kosi River.
Bihar: Indian state where National Waterways 37 (Gandak River) and 58 (Kosi River) are located.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF PORTS, SHIPPING AND WATERWAYS
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2105
ANSWERED ON 12.12.2025
STATUS OF NATIONAL WATERWAYS 37 AND 58
2105. SHRI ARUN BHARTI:
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 current status of National Waterway 37 (Gandak River) and National Waterway
58 (Kosi River) in Bihar;
(b) the total funds allocated for conducting feasibility studies and Detailed Project
Report (DPR) preparation for waterways;
(c) the potential for cargo and passenger movement identified on the said waterways;
(d) the steps being taken to develop floating jetties and navigation aids to
operationalize these routes; and
(e) the status of any cross-border inland water trade protocol being developed with
Nepal using the said rivers?
ANSWER
MINISTER OF PORTS, SHIPPING AND WATERWAYS
(SHRI SARBANANDA SONOWAL)
(a) & (b) The River Gandak and the River Kosi were declared as National Waterway
(NW) – 37 and National Waterways - 58 under National Waterways Act, 2016. Two jetties
have been deployed on NW-37 (River Gandak) at Mangalpur (Nautan) & opposite bank
in Bettiah. M/s. Rail India Technical and Economic Service Ltd. (RITES) have been
engaged to update the Detailed Project Report (DPR) prepared by Government of Bihar
in 2013 at a cost of Rs. 92.75 lakh. Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI) an
autonomous organisation under Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways had
conducted hydrographic survey in NW-58 (River Kosi) in 2024, and the river was not
found feasible for movement of cargo.
(c) To ascertain the potential for cargo and passenger movement on the River Gandak
upgradation of DPR has been awarded to M/s RITES.
(d) For operationalization of NW–37 (River Gandak), two Community Jetties have
been deployed at Mangalpur (Nautan) & opposite bank in Bettiah. As the River Kosi (NW-58) has not been found feasible for Cargo Movement, no interventions are planned for
River Kosi at present.
(e) Routes including waterways for movement of cargo have already been included in
Treaty of Transit between Govt. of India and Nepal.
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