Shipping minister Sarbananda Sonowal, while announcing the start of 'water metro' services in patna soon, said on monday (June 16, 2025) that the city will become the hub of the inter-country water transport system on the Ganga. The announcement has been made a few months before the state assembly elections.
Addressing a consultation meeting here on the development of inter-country water transport in Uttar Pradesh, bihar, jharkhand and West Bengal, Sonowal said the narendra Modi-led government is committed to harnessing the full potential of river systems for freight, tourism and local livelihoods. He said, "The water metro system will connect both banks of the river and provide clean, efficient and modern urban transport solutions for Patna. The National Institute of Inter-Country Shipping is being upgraded as a center of excellence with new investments." He further said, "Over the last 11 years, the visionary leadership of prime minister narendra Modi has made India's inter-country waterways a vibrant engine of green growth and connectivity. The National Waterways, spread across Uttar Pradesh, bihar, jharkhand and West Bengal, are at the centre of this revival." The minister said the government is committed to harnessing the full potential of river systems for freight, tourism and local livelihoods. bihar is set to emerge as a major inter-country waterways transport hub.
'Rivers now lifelines of country's economy'
Sonowal said the central government is working closely with all states on National Waterway number one to make inter-country water transport the backbone of India's sustainable, multi-modal future. He said rivers are now the lifelines of the country's economy. It also said, "The 1,390-km long National Waterway-1 from varanasi to Haldia will see the development of two terminals at patna in bihar, along with the establishment of a ship repair and manufacturing hub on the banks of the Ganga."
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