Varanasi, 23 January 2025: The Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI), under the Union Ministry of Ports, Shipping, and Waterways, has inaugurated a new Regional Office in Varanasi to strengthen inland water transport (IWT) activities in Uttar Pradesh. The upgraded office aims to streamline projects on National Waterway-1 (NW-1), the River Ganga, and other waterways in the state.
With this addition, IWAI now operates six regional offices across India, including Guwahati, Patna, Kochi, Bhubaneswar, and Kolkata. The Varanasi office, alongside its sub-office in Prayagraj, will oversee a 487-kilometer stretch from Majhua to Varanasi Multi-Modal Terminal (MMT) and further up to Prayagraj.
Focus on Jal Marg Vikas Project (JMVP)
A key priority for the new office is the implementation of the World Bank-supported Jal Marg Vikas Project (JMVP), which aims to enhance the capacity of NW-1. The project includes river conservancy works such as bandalling, maintenance dredging, and infrastructure development to facilitate smooth cargo movement and promote cruise tourism.
Under JMVP, three Multi-Modal Terminals (at Varanasi, Sahibganj, and Haldia), an Inter-Modal Terminal (Kalughat), and a navigational lock at Farakka, West Bengal, have been constructed. Additionally, 60 community jetties are being built across Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand, and West Bengal to support local farmers, artisans, fishermen, and commuters.
Expansion Beyond Ganga
The Varanasi office will not only focus on the Ganga but also its tributaries and other declared national waterways in Uttar Pradesh, including the Betwa, Chambal, Gomti, Tons, Varuna, Gandak, Ghaghra, Karamnasa, and Yamuna rivers. It will also coordinate with the State IWT Authority for holistic waterway development in the state.
A Vision for Growth
Under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal, IWAI has been expanding its reach, transforming waterways across India into engines of economic growth. Beyond NW-1, the Authority is focusing on capacity building for NW-2 (Brahmaputra), NW-3 (West Coast Canal), and NW-16 (Barak River) through dredging, navigational aids, and terminal development.
Conclusion
The establishment of the Varanasi Regional Office marks a significant step in boosting inland water transport in Uttar Pradesh, enhancing connectivity, promoting economic development, and unlocking the potential of waterways across the state and beyond.
