In order to assist the state governments to decongest cities, the Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI) has engaged a reputed consultant to prepare feasibility studies for development of ferry services and identification of locations in Varanasi, Patna, Munger, Bhagalpur, Kolkata and Haldia.
The government is implementing the Jal Marg Vikas Project (JMVP) for the capacity augmentation of navigation on the Haldia-Varanasi stretch of National Waterway-1 (Ganga) with the technical and financial assistance of the World Bank at an estimated cost of Rs 5,369.18 crore. Under this project, construction of three multimodal terminals, two intermodal terminals, one new navigational lock and works for fairway development, River Information System (RIS), vessel repair and maintenance facilities, and RoRo terminals are envisaged to be completed by December 2022.
