Patna: Prime Minister Narendra Modi laid the foundation stone for two landmark waterways projects in Bihar. As part of the project, Bihar’s first water metro has been launched along with a ship repair centre in Patna.
This marks a new chapter in eco-friendly transport and regional trade along the Ganga. The virtual ceremony was part of the Rs 75,000 crore Waterways Development Programme launched in Bhavnagar, Gujarat.
Ship Repair Centre at Patna
One of the flagship projects is the construction of a Ship Repair Centre (Dry Dock) on a 5-acre plot near Kurji in Patna. The Bihar government has allotted land for the facility, which will be developed by the Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI).
According to IWAI Director Arvind Kumar, the centre will improve the maintenance and turnaround efficiency of inland vessels operating on National Waterway-1, thereby boosting the reliability of river transport across the region.
Bihar’s First Water Metro
The second project announced is the Rs 908 crore Water Metro Project under the Urban Water Transport Scheme. Designed to provide clean and modern mobility, Phase 1 will introduce 25 electric-powered vessels between Digha and Kangan Ghat.
Future phases will expand services to Hajipur’s Hariharnath Ghat, Sonpur, Kohnerwa Ghat, and Chechar Ghat. Cruise terminals at Digha and Kangan Ghat are also planned, expected to give a fillip to tourism and local commerce.
A Milestone for Bihar
The inauguration event, held under IWAI’s aegis at Gaighat in Patna, witnessed participation from senior leaders including Ravi Shankar Prasad, MP from Patna Sahib, Sanjeev Prasad Chaurasia, MLA from Digha, and Patna Mayor Sita Sahu.
Officials highlighted that the projects will ease road congestion by shifting freight to waterways, provide affordable and green public transport, and create new opportunities in trade and tourism.
With these initiatives, Bihar is set to join the league of states pioneering sustainable urban mobility and inland water logistics in India.
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