In a significant boost to inland water transport (IWT) infrastructure, Minister of Ports, Shipping, and Waterways, Sarbananda Sonowal, is set to inaugurate the Kalughat IWT Terminal and community jetties along the River Ganga in Bihar’s Saran district on February 15. This milestone event will also witness the foundation stone laying ceremony for two community jetties in Bettiah, Bihar, situated on the Gandak River.
Sonowal’s itinerary includes the inauguration of 14 community jetties in Bihar and an additional two in Jharkhand, a strategic move aimed at enhancing connectivity and fostering trade along inland waterways, as stated by the Ministry of Ports, Shipping, and Waterways.
Kalughat, strategically positioned on the north bank of the River Ganga, emerges as a pivotal transportation hub in the region. With direct access to NH-19, the terminal plays a crucial role in facilitating cargo movement, particularly for shipments bound for Nepal through Raxaul and the hinterland of North Bihar.
Constructed at an investment of Rs. 82.48 crores, Kalughat’s infrastructure includes a 125m x 30m berth with an annual capacity of 77,000 TEUs, along with designated areas for container storage, truck parking, and essential administrative and security facilities. Designed exclusively for container traffic, Kalughat is equipped with utilities such as sewage treatment plants, firefighting systems, and IT infrastructure, ensuring operational efficiency. This terminal promises to provide seamless connectivity to Haldia/Kolkata ports, thereby boosting regional trade and commerce.
The introduction of floating pontoon jetties at Mangalpur and Bettiah on the river Gandak, for Rs. 3.33 crore, will establish a vital link between Nepal and India via NW-37, enhancing market access for producers of various goods. In addition, the community jetties at 14 locations along NW-1 in Bihar, with an investment of Rs. 17.50 crore, will offer local farmers and traders direct market access, promoting tourism and generating employment opportunities.
As India continues to prioritise the development of its waterway infrastructure, Sonowal’s initiatives signify a crucial step toward bolstering economic growth, regional connectivity, and market accessibility, positioning Bihar as a key player in the country’s expanding logistics network.
