Patna: Bihar’s Water Metro service on the Ganges is expected to begin operations before Diwali, with the launch anticipated after Dussehra. Two charging stations at NIT Ghat and Digha Ghat in Patna have been prepared for the electric vessel MV Gomdhar Kunwar, which arrived in the city in September 2025.
Officials from the Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI) said trials of the vessel’s slow-charging system were under way. Operations are expected to begin once the system is successfully tested.
The service, planned to improve river-based tourism in Bihar, will be operated by the Bihar State Tourism Development Corporation.
Vessel Awaits Operational Clearance
The 42-metre-long MV Gomdhar Kunwar is currently docked along the Ganges in Patna. Built by Hooghly Cochin Shipyard Limited in Howrah, West Bengal, the air-conditioned vessel can accommodate 75 passengers.
The launch was initially planned for Dussehra last year but has been delayed as preparations and technical trials continued. The vessel has remained at the riverbank while authorities work towards starting the service.
Rs 12 Crore Vessel Has Hybrid Engine
According to an IWAI official, the vessel was built at a cost of approximately Rs 12 crore and arrived in Patna on September 27, 2025. It has already completed trials on the Ganges.
The vessel uses a hybrid propulsion system that can operate on diesel as well as electricity. Its fast-charging system has reportedly been tested successfully.
The official said a full fast charge takes around 30 minutes and allows the vessel to operate continuously for approximately one to one-and-a-half hours.
Slow-Charging System Under Trial
The vessel is also equipped with a slow-charging system that is designed to provide five to six hours of operation on a full charge.
A team of company engineers is working on completing the trials of this system. The start of passenger services will depend on the successful completion of the process.
Once operational, the Water Metro is expected to offer tourists another way to experience the Ganges in Patna. However, the final launch date has not yet been confirmed.
