Jal Marg Vikas Project (Capacity Augumentation of NW-1)

The project facilitates comprehensive infrastructure augmentation along National Waterway-1, supported by advanced river engineering interventions to ensure a Least Assured Depth (LAD) for seamless navigation of 1,500–2,000 DWT vessels between Varanasi and Haldia.

The development of state-of-the-art multimodal terminals, intermodal facilities, and community jetties has significantly strengthened the capacity and connectivity of the waterway, enabling efficient cargo movement and improved hinterland access.

Further, the modernization of the Farakka Navigational Lock, along with innovative QPOM (Performance-Based Operations and Maintenance) interventions, has enhanced operational efficiency, reduced transit time, and improved the overall reliability of inland water transport (IWT) operations.

Multimodal Terminals (MMTs) and Intermodal Terminals (IMTs) have been strategically connected with National Highways, ensuring seamless first- and last-mile connectivity. This integration enables faster, more efficient movement of cargo and strengthens the overall logistics chain along National Waterway-1 (NW-1).

In addition, rail connectivity is being developed at key MMTs—Varanasi, Sahibganj, and Haldia—to establish a robust multimodal logistics network. This initiative further enhances first- and last-mile efficiency, reduces transit time, and enables smooth modal shifts between waterways, road, and rail transport.

Together, these efforts are creating a well-connected, efficient, and future-ready logistics ecosystem, positioning NW-1 as a competitive and integrated freight corridor.

Inland Water Transport (IWT) terminals are acting as key catalysts for regional economic growth by facilitating efficient domestic trade and enhancing logistics efficiency along National Waterway-1.

These terminals also provide seamless multimodal connectivity to international markets, enabling smoother cargo movement beyond national boundaries. By strengthening linkages with neighboring countries such as Nepal, Bangladesh, and Bhutan, they are playing a vital role in expanding of bilateral and regional trades.

This integrated approaches are fostering greater economic cooperation, improving supply chain efficiency, and positioning inland waterways as a strategic enabler of prommoting regional connectivity, local trade expansion along with pivioting the development of river cruise tourism and passenger transports. 

The Jal Marg Vikas Project (JMVP) integrates sustainability at its core by incorporating Environmental Management Plans (EMPs) across all interventions. The proactive measures have been undertaken to conserve riverrine biodiversity and strict adoption of environmental responsible practices for ensuring nil ecological impact along National Waterway-1.

The modal shift of cargo from road/rail to waterways has significantly reduced fuel consumption, reduced social burden, lowered greenhouse gas emissions, contributing for cleaner and more sustainable and efficient logistics ecosystem.

Further, the introduction of hybrid electric and hydrogen-powered green vessels at Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh and in other states are ushering paradigm shift for eco-friendly inland navigation. These advancements in vessels technology are substantially curbing carbon emissions, strategically reducing dependncy of Bharat on conventional fuels and also help in reducing air and noise pollution etc. 

The project drives significant logistics cost optimization by enabling the operation of high-capacity fuel-efficient inland vessels along National Waterway-1. By leveraging the advantages use of alternate fules on waterways, it offers a more economical alternative for bulk cargo movement.

Seamless multimodal integration further enhances efficiency by enabling smooth transitions between waterways, road, and rail networks. This integrated approach unlocks economies of scale, reduces overall transportation costs, and strengthens the competitiveness of the inland waterway supply chain.

The Jal Marg Vikas Project (JMVP) is significantly advancing socio-economic development on NW-1 hinterland by fostering inclusive growth, generating employment, and empowering grassroots stakeholders with skill development. Through expansion of inland water transport (IWT) connectivity, this project is enabling rural hinterland populations to access broader markets, provides hinterland connecitivity which fully help in harnessing the oppurtunity of emerging trade and commerce on NW-1

JMVP interventions act as a transformative catalyst for employment generation in both direct and indirect forms. The direct employment has been created by engageing professionals in the Project Management Units (PMU) at HQ. Noida and Project Implementation Units (PIUs) at Regional and Sub-Offices level on NW-1, and further engaging the existing alongwith additional professionals during its ongoing operations, management and up-keep maintenance and expansion phases to be continued.  

In addition, this project has criticale role in stimulating wide range of anchored and allied infrastrucre and economic developments along National Waterway-1 hinterlands, The IWT connectivty facilitates strengthening of multiple sectors, facilitates generating substantial indirect employment opportunities for stakeholders. And collectively, these interventions impacts for revitalizing of regional economies with supporting generation of sustainable livelihoods opportunities in Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand and West Bengal 

The Jal Marg Vikas Project (JMVP) has laid a strong foundation for the development of multiple anchored initiatives along National Waterway-1. These include Implementing Arth Ganga Project with savings from JMVP, further addition with development of  Multimodal Logistics Parks (MMLP) / Freight Village at Varanasi & Sahibganj, developing World-Class Cruise Terminals at 2 nos. at Varanasi & Patna, establishment of Regional Centre of Excellence (RCoE) at Varanasi for facilitating skill development, imparting IWT education and foostering research, the development of Ship Repair Facility at Varanasi & Patna to provide conducive ecosystem IWT vessels, the developing Inland Waterways Pavilion to showcase and promote India's riverrine herritage (The proposal conceived for Varanasi), the Regional Waterways Grid (RWG) for promoting bilateral connecitivity with nighbouring country are ongoing, the development of Railways Connectivity for MMTs (Varanasi, Sahibganj and Haldia) are ongoing along with uptaking initiatve for developing urban transport-Water Metro Project for Varanasi, Prayagraj, Patna and Kolkata (In Phase -1) for NW-1   

Collectively, these initiatives are creating a holistic ecosystem that enhances logistics efficiency, promotes river tourism, strengthens institutional capacity, and improves urban mobility. By integrating infrastructure, innovation, and capacity building, the JMVP is catalyzing sustainable and inclusive socio-economic growth and transformation across NW-1 corridor.

MMT Varanasi serves as a premier multimodal logistics hub in northern India, enabling seamless connectivity across transport modes. Further augmented by the development MMLP–Freight Village, it facilitates efficient cargo aggregation and distribution, while acting as a key gateway for Uttar Pradesh to access both inland waterways and maritime trade networks.

MMT Sahibganj is a strategically significant logistics node that unlocks the movement of Jharkhand’s rich mineral resources. By enabling seamless bulk cargo evacuation, it substantially eases logistics constraints of the region, reduces transportation costs, and enhances efficiency across the hinterland supply chain.

MMT Haldia, strategically located at the mouth of NW-1, functions as a vital port-interface terminal and gateway to international trade routes. It enables seamless inland–maritime connectivity, strengthens cross-border linkages with Bangladesh, and facilitates efficient, large-scale cargo movement regional markets.

IMT Kalughat, strategically located at Saran district in Bihar, facilitating cargo movement and enabling, seamless handling of Nepal-bound container traffic, thereby enhancing cross-border trade, improving logistics efficiency, and strengthening hinterland connectivity along NW-1 corridor.

IMT Balagarh, Strategically envisaged as an extension of the port-gate system of Syama Prasad Mookerjee Port, Kolkata, and the proposed terminal is poised to reinforce multimodal integration along NW-1; this will enhanced waterways connectivity and enable seamless cargo movement for both domestic and international trade, thereby augmenting regional logistics efficiency and unlocking new economic opportunities across the eastern hinterland.

Community Jetties: Enabling Last-Mile Connectivity & Inclusive Growth

Community jetty infrastructure developed under the Jal Marg Vikas Project (JMVP) is playing a transformative role in integrating rural and remote riverine communities with the formal trade ecosystem. By enabling seamless first- and last-mile connectivity, these jetties significantly enhance access to urban markets and streamline the movement of agricultural produce, local goods, and passengers.

This intervention has substantially reduced transportation costs while improving direct market access for rural hinterland stakeholders, including farmers, artisans, and small traders. It facilitates efficient cargo movement, strengthens local supply chains, and empowers grassroots communities to actively participate in regional trade networks.

Aligned with the Inland Water Transport (IWT) vision under the Arth Ganga initiative, community jetties promote sustainable livelihoods, catalyze local economic activity, and drive inclusive socio-economic development across the Ganga basin. By bridging connectivity gaps, they are reinforcing inland waterways as a powerful engine of grassroots prosperity.

New Lock Gate Farakka stands as a vital enabler of efficient traffic management and a cornerstone in transforming NW-1 into a reliable, high-capacity freight corridor

This infrastructure has substantially reduces transit delays, reduces vessel queuing time, thereby, improving turn around efficiency and ensuring reliability of waterways.

Further Modernization of existing lock gate is critical intervention of repairing and augmenting the hydraulic and capacity of old lock gate, this will ensure for efficient two way vessel traffic management along NW-1

Quick Pontoon Opening Mechanism (QPOM) is pioneering intervention of Jal Marg Vikas Project, this infrastructure facilitates in addressing most persistent operational bottlenecks of inland navigation disruptions occures due delay in opening of pontoon bridges in Ganga.  QPOM is advanced system that enables quick opening of the pontoon brides for vessel passage and minimizing vessel waiting time and eliminating navigational interruptions at critical crossings nodes of Pontoon bridges on NW-1.

This asset is harmonious for balancing the requirements of road traffic with uninterrupted inland waterways navigation and optimizing overall transport network performance. OPOM is high-impact, technology-driven solution build with the help of IIT Kharagpur, this infrastructure initiative has strengthens overall operational resilience, efficiency, and competitiveness of National Waterway-1

Fairway development interventions aimed at ensuring an Least Assured Depth (LAD) of 2.2 m to 3.0 m along critical stretches of National Waterway-1. This initiative is pivotal in enabling seamless, safe, and year-round navigation of inland vessels, thereby enhancing corridor reliability and facilitating high-capacity cargo barge movement with greater operational predictability.

End to End Fairway development strategy adopted for the first time on NW-1 for ensuring sustained LAD across NW-1 to faciliate smoother navigation of vessels. the fairway development being mandated to be contineously performed across identified stretches i.e. Tribeni-Katwa, Katwa - Farakka, Farakka - Kahalgaon, Sultanganj - Barh, Barh-Digha, Digha - Majhauwa, Majhauwa - Ghazipur and Ghazipur to Varanasi and furtheron (as per need) 

The Haldia & Kalughat Access Channel steadily developed for reinforcing seamless connectivity between inland waterways and maritime gateways. The Kahalgaon–Sultanganj under Vikaramshila Dolphin Sanctury stretch, the statutory environmental clearance has been obtained for underscoring a balanced approach towards ecological sustainability for infrastructure development along with also obtainining stratutory environmental clearence for strech under Kashi Turtle Sanctury too.

Complementing these efforts, Channel Stabilization Works (CSW) at identified locations are being implemented as a progressive river engineering solution to ensure long-term channel stability, reduce dredging dependency, and enhance morphological resilience of the river system. Collectively, these interventions are transforming NW-1 into a robust, efficient, and reliable inland navigation corridor by improving traffic fluidity, minimizing transit disruptions, optimizing vessel turnaround, and strengthening the overall economic viability of inland water transport.

Dredgers and fleet strengthening is a strategic interventions of JMVP to build robust institutional and operational capacity for fairway development on NW-1 for long term solution. This initiative is pivotal for ensuring assured navigability at lower cost, enhancing IWT service reliability of vessels, and supporting high-capacity cargo vessel movement across the corridor of NW-1, the JMVP project has completed deployment of 3 pusher tugs with 6 dumb barges and significantly augmenting dredging capability along NW-1

The construction of cutter suction dredgers (CSDs) is progressing, along procuring additional dredging units and amphibian dredgers & mordern equipments, these activities are set to strengthen year-round fairway maintenance activities and address critical shoal formations. Further, the procurement of hybrid survey vessels and ancillary support units, including workboats and accommodation barges, Installnation of device for monitoring of real time water level discharge at HQ. will be enhancing hydrographic survey and accuracy of NW-1 data. Collectively, these interventions are significant for enhancing dredging efficiency, improving channel reliability, reducing operational bottlenecks, and establishing a technologically driven advanced and resilient solutions for fairway management on NW-1 

Ship Repair & Maintenance Facilities: Strengthening Fleet Reliability on NW-1

The development of Ship Repair and Maintenance Facilities at Varanasi and Patna marks a critical step towards building a self-sustaining and resilient inland water transport ecosystem along National Waterway-1. This facility is strategically planned for development in the upper stretches of NW-1, these facilities were designed to provide timely repair, maintenance, and dry-docking support to inland vessels. By addressing the long-standing dependence on distant shipyards, they significantly reduce vessel downtime and ensure quicker turnaround for fleet operations.

This initiative enhances operational efficiency and reliability across the corridor, while also lowering maintenance costs for operators. Improved access to repair infrastructure leads to better asset utilization, enabling a more efficient and economically viable inland waterway system.

World-Class River Cruise Terminals: Boosting Riverine & Cultural Tourism on NW-1

The development of world-class cruise terminals at Varanasi and Patna marks a landmark step in promoting river cruise tourism along National Waterway-1. These modern facilities are envisioned to position NW-1 as a premier destination for inland cruise experiences. Facility is designed to deliver an enhanced passenger experience, the terminals will offer state-of-the-art amenities and seamless services, catering to both domestic and international tourists. The infrastructure will support comfortable embarkation, leisure facilities, and efficient passenger handling.

At Varanasi, the plan includes the development of two dedicated cruise terminals—one for short-duration day cruises and another for long-distance cruise operations—ensuring diversified tourism offerings and improved operational efficiency.

Regional Centre of Excellence: Driving Innovation, Skills & Institutional Capacity Development in IWT 

The proposed Regional Centre of Excellence (RCoE) at Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh is envisioned as a premier knowledge hub for imparting education, foostering research and innovation, and provides advanced training and inccubate IWT enterprenurship in inland water transport field. It will plays a pivotal role in strengthening institutional capacity of IWT sector.

In parallel, the development of the National Inland Navigation Institute (NINI) as a Centre of Excellence aims to significantly enhance IWT skill development, training, and certification for creating highly skilled future-ready workforce for the inland waterways sector. Together, these institutions will serve as key enablers in advancing technical excellence, operational efficiency for sustainable growth of inland water transport sector in Bharat.

PPP-Led Operations: Driving Efficiency & Sustainability on NW-1

The infrastructure developed under the Jal Marg Vikas Project are being operationalized through Public-Private Partnerships (PPP) for ensuring the world-class logistics efficiency, this initaitive is ensuring commercial viability, offers sustainable and equitable private sector participation in operations of National Waterway-1

The key terminals such as MMT Haldia and IMT Kalughat have been successfully transitioned to PPP-based operational management. These facilities serve as model examples of effective private sector participation in the sector, demonstrating improved operational performance, enhanced service standards, and optimized asset utilization in inland waterway operations. By leveraging of private sector expertise and attracting investment through PPP approach is strengthening the long-term operational sustainability and scalability of inland water transport sector.