The West Bengal government has unveiled an ambitious plan to construct five state-of-the-art ferry terminals as part of a broader effort to enhance the inland water transport (IWT) network.
The ₹228 crore project aims to significantly upgrade passenger experience, promote green mobility and integrate the river transport system with the state’s evolving urban infrastructure. According to officials from the West Bengal Transport Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited (WBTIDCL), which is spearheading the initiative, the new terminals will be developed at key strategic locations—Chinsurah in Hooghly district, Howrah, Nazirgunge, Panihati and Shipping Ghat (Millennium Park Ghat). The project is being co-financed with assistance from the World Bank under the Integrated Strategic Development Plan (ISDP), a vision roadmap designed to promote sustainable and inclusive water-based transportation.
West Bengal boasts a vast network of more than 2,293 kilometres of navigable waterways. However, decades of underinvestment and inconsistent modernisation have hindered the full potential of the state’s river transport system. The planned terminals are expected to change this narrative by offering modern, accessible, and climate-resilient infrastructure that supports both daily commuters and long-term urban development. Officials involved in the project explained that each terminal will feature a wide range of modern amenities designed to improve passenger convenience and ensure accessibility for all. These include ticketing counters, spacious waiting lounges, elevators, escalators, child-friendly zones, and dedicated spaces for lactating mothers. Special attention has been given to universal accessibility—ensuring that persons with disabilities can use the services with ease through provisions such as accessible toilets, clear pathways and ramps.
In addition to passenger-focused amenities, the terminals will include administrative offices, commercial spaces, and designated parking areas to streamline passenger flow and improve intermodal connectivity. Designed with disaster-resilience in mind, each terminal will be equipped with multiple exit points, emergency evacuation plans, and structural safeguards to withstand cyclones and heavy storms—natural events that frequently affect the region. Crucially, the project integrates sustainability principles throughout its planning and execution. The ferry terminals will incorporate green features such as energy-efficient lighting systems, sewage treatment plants (STPs), rainwater harvesting mechanisms and stormwater drainage facilities. According to experts, these measures are vital not only to reduce the carbon footprint of the river transport system but also to adapt to the growing climate challenges facing the state’s deltaic environment.
In terms of land allocation, the terminals will occupy key parcels in urban and peri-urban areas—6,550 square metres in Howrah, 2,352 square metres at Shipping Ghat, 1,643 square metres in Panihati, 1,551 square metres in Chinsurah, and 747 square metres in Nazirgunge. The selected sites are intended to serve both densely populated areas and growing commuter corridors, reflecting the state’s aim to balance urban expansion with transport accessibility. Officials from WBTIDCL have confirmed that strict environmental protocols will be followed during construction. One of the key stipulations of the plan is that no trees will be felled during the project execution. Special measures will also be taken to preserve the natural environment along the Hooghly River, including protection of the habitat of the endangered Gangetic River Dolphins. Work will only proceed after ensuring that these aquatic mammals are not present in proximity to construction zones.
This ferry terminal development initiative is part of the second phase of the Integrated Strategic Development Plan. The first phase saw the successful construction of 29 new jetties in 2022, followed by an additional 16 in 2024. Together, these upgrades are poised to transform the state’s neglected river transport system into a reliable, accessible, and eco-conscious alternative to road-based transit. Experts in urban planning and sustainable transport have lauded the initiative as a critical step in decarbonising the mobility sector in West Bengal. They pointed out that inland water transport, when efficiently managed, has a significantly lower carbon footprint per passenger kilometre compared to buses and private vehicles. By prioritising multi-modal integration, the state can also alleviate pressure on congested roads and reduce emissions from fossil fuel-based transport.
As cities across India grapple with increasing vehicular congestion and air pollution, West Bengal’s move to invest in its river infrastructure stands out as a forward-thinking approach. The project reflects a broader shift toward inclusive and climate-resilient infrastructure that supports the creation of sustainable, gender-neutral and equitable cities. Though ferry transport in West Bengal has long served as a lifeline for riverside communities, its modernisation has often lagged behind. With the proposed terminals, the state aims not only to revitalise this heritage mode of transit but also to make it future-ready—integrated, clean, and accessible to all.
The success of this project could serve as a blueprint for other riverine states in India looking to tap into inland water transport as a viable and green urban mobility solution. If implemented as envisioned, West Bengal’s ferry terminal initiative has the potential to shift the narrative from neglected infrastructure to a sustainable, people-centric future for urban transport.
Bengal to Build Five New Ferry Terminals
