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The central government has announced a new plan to improve water-based transport along the Ganga River. This project aims to make travel easier, reduce traffic on roads, and prevent damage caused by heavy vehicles. Patna will play a major role in this development, which will also benefit states like Uttar Pradesh, Jharkhand, and West Bengal.
Water Transport for a Better Future
During his visit to Bihar, Union Ports, Shipping and Waterways Minister Sarbananda Sonowal shared the details of this initiative. He explained that water transport is not only cheaper but also more environment-friendly than using roads or railways. The government sees this as a smart solution for carrying both goods and people.
By using the river for transport, the pressure on roads can be reduced. This could help prevent road collapses and make travel smoother and safer for everyone. Overloaded trucks are a common cause of road damage, and shifting cargo to river routes will help solve this issue.
Water Metro Coming to Patna
As part of the project, Patna will get its own water metro system. This will make local travel easier for the city's residents. In addition to this, 16 new jetties will be built along the river. These jetties will help people board and exit boats easily. There will also be special terminals for maintaining cruise boats, which will support the growing number of people using river transport.
Training and Innovation at NINI
The National Inland Navigation Institute (NINI) in Patna will also be improved. It will become a Centre of Excellence for water transport. The goal is to provide better training, promote research, and develop new ideas for the inland waterway system. This step will help build skilled manpower and support the growth of this transport method.
Planning for the Future
To explore more ways to use water transport in Bihar, a task force will be formed within a month. This team will look for new routes and suggest ideas to expand the system. They will work on creating a strong network that connects different areas through river transport.
This plan is a big step toward making transportation in India more sustainable. Using the Ganga in this way will bring economic benefits, protect the environment, and make travel easier and safer for millions of people.
