Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI), an autonomous body under the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways, is implementing Jal Marg Vikas Project (JMVP) for capacity augmentation of National Waterway -1 (NW-1) from Varanasi (Uttar Pradesh) to Haldia stretch of Ganga-Bhagirathi-Hooghly River System with the technical and financial assistance of the World Bank covering a distance of 1,390 km. Under JMVP three (3) Multi Modal Terminals at Haldia (West Bengal), Sahibganj (Jharkhand) and Varanasi (Uttar Pradesh), one (1) Intermodal Terminal at Kalughat (Bihar), a new Navigational Lock at Farakka (West Bengal), two (2) Quick Pontoon Opening Mechanisms and 53 community jetties in Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand & West Bengal have been developed. Further, to provide last mile connectivity and reduce the logistics cost in transportation, there is provision for development of two (2) multimodal logistics hubs at Varanasi and Sahibganj. Due to these interventions, the cargo movement on NW-1 has increased from 5.05 million tonnes in 2014-15 to 16.4 million tonnes in 2024-25. Till now, an investment of about Rs 3600 crore has been made under this project.

The details of infrastructure created by the IWAI in the State of Uttar Pradesh is below.
IWT Projects in Uttar Pradesh

Projects completed and Ongoing in Uttar Pradesh

 

Sl. No.	Name of Project	Cost (Rs. Cr.)
1.	Development of Multimodal Terminal at Varanasi	182.33
2.	Development of 11Community Jetties in Varanasi, Chandauli, Ghazipur and Ballia	17.00
3.	2 Jetties Installed at Ayodhya on NW-40 (Ghaghara River)	4.00
4.	2 Electric Catamarans deployed at Varanasi and Ayodhya	25.60
5.	1 Hydrogen Fuel Cell Vessel deployed at Varanasi	22.62
6.	Fairway Development Majhauwa – Ghazipur	78.64
7.	Development of 4 Nos Steel Community Jetties in Ballia and Ghazipur	7.82
8.	Fairway Development from Ghazipur to Varanasi	102.98
9.	Development of IWT Jetties (6-installed; 2-work in progress) at Mathura in Yamuna	12.00
10.	Ayodhya & Mathura Projects - Quantity based dredging between Guptarghat (NW-40) and Nayaghat & Jugal Kishore ghat –Gokul Barrage (NW-110)	8.45
11.	Development of River Cruise Terminal at Varanasi	200.00
	Total	661.44

IWAI conducts regular stakeholders meetings including local entrepreneurs to sensitize and encourage them for promoting inland water transport. In order to promote water transport in the state of Uttar Pradesh, the Uttar Pradesh Inland Waterways Authority Act, 2023 has been promulgated/notified. The Uttar Pradesh Inland Waterways Authority Rules, 2025 have been promulgated. Orders have been issued regarding the office of the Transport Commissioner located in Lucknow district. All the Divisional Transport Officers (Administration) of the state have been nominated as Registrars for registration of vessels.

IWAI is mandated for regulation and development of National Waterways (NWs) for the purposes of shipping and navigation. NW-110 (Yamuna River) passes through Etawah and Auraiya. At present, no initiatives have been planned for development of NW- 110 at Etawah and Auraiya as it was not found feasible.

This information was given by the Minister of Ports, Shipping and Waterways, Shri Sarbananda Sonowal in a written reply to the Rajya Sabha.

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SR/GDH/HK

(Release ID: 2152676)