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The Kolkata-Varanasi stretch of Ganga will be used for ‘roll-on and roll-off’ (RO-RO) service to transport cars between these two points next month. The trial run will be for a cargo vessel weighing 1,000 tonnes.
“This is being done as a pilot to send the message that such transport is possible. We are keen to push transport of more cargo through waterway as it’s cheaper and non-polluting,” said a shipping ministry official.
This is seen as big beginning at a time when government is fast tracking the “Jal Marg Vikas” project between Allahabad and Haldia on the Ganga covering 1,620 km. The project envisages development of a fairway with three metres depth, which would enable commercial navigation of at least 1,500 tonne vessels on the river.
As a part of the plan, a multi-modal terminal is being built at Varanasi costing around Rs 184 cr, which will have road and rail connectivity.
Ro-Ro terminals with investment of Rs 120 cr has also been taken up to reduce road distance and facilitate connection between two banks of Ganga at Majhuwa connecting Ballia-Zamania and another at Mirzapur connecting Mirzapur-Chunar.
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