Patna: Bihar is set to expand its inland water transport network with 16 new community jetties along the Ganga, with 10 steel jetties already under construction, according to the state Transport Department.
The proposed facilities are intended to support the movement of passengers, agricultural produce, fishermen’s goods and other local merchandise, while providing an alternative to road-based transport.
The jetties are being developed along the Ganga, designated as National Waterway-1 (NW-1). The plan also includes two community jetties on the Gandak River in West Champaran, which is part of National Waterway-37.
Jetties Planned Across Eight Districts
According to the Transport Department, the Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI) has received No Objection Certificates (NOCs) from districts for 16 of the 17 identified locations.
The proposed sites include areas in Patna, Vaishali, Saran, Samastipur, Begusarai, Bhagalpur and Ara.
In Patna, proposed locations include Kangan Ghat, Gyaspur Pipa Pul and Mahaji Pipa Pul. In Saran, sites include Hariharnath Temple and Sonepur, while Patharghat and Dharnipatti West have been identified in Samastipur.
Begusarai is set to have proposed jetties at Simaria Ghat, Ayodhya Ghat and Chitro Ghat.
Construction has already begun at 10 locations, marking the first major phase of the expansion.
Gandak Waterway Faces Land Hurdle
The government is also preparing to extend community-based water transport to the Gandak River.
Two jetties have been proposed in West Champaran along National Waterway-37. However, the required NOCs are pending because government land is not currently available at the identified locations.
The projects can move forward once the land-related issues are resolved. The proposed facilities are expected to provide an additional transport option for communities located along the Gandak in north Bihar.
Existing Network Has 21 Jetties
Bihar currently has 21 community jetties along the Ganga across 11 districts, according to the Transport Department.
Patna has five such facilities at Digha, Nakta Diyara, Panapur, Nasriganj and Barh. Bhagalpur has four at Tintanga, Sultanganj, Kahalgaon and Bateshwarnath.
The existing network also covers Bhojpur, Vaishali, Katihar, Buxar, Saran, Samastipur, Begusarai, Munger and Khagaria.
The proposed jetties would expand this network and improve access to inland waterways in several parts of the state.
Alternative Route For Farmers And Traders
Community jetties are expected to benefit people living along riverbanks by providing easier access to water transport.
Farmers could use the network to move agricultural produce, while fishermen and local traders could transport goods between riverbank settlements. Waterways could also provide an alternative for some freight currently moved by road.
The expansion is expected to support passenger movement as well as commercial transport and could help reduce pressure on roads used for freight movement.
IWAI To Hand Over Jetties After Initial Operation
Raj Kumar, Secretary of the Bihar Transport Department, said community jetties are being used by local residents, farmers, fishermen, traders and passengers.
According to the department, IWAI constructs the jetties and, after two years of successful operation, hands them over to Bihar’s Inland Water Transport department.
The approach is intended to ensure that the facilities remain operational after construction and become part of the state’s wider transport network.
The expansion marks an effort to integrate Bihar’s rivers more closely with passenger movement and commercial activity, rather than limiting their use to traditional purposes such as irrigation and flood management.
