Patna: Bihar is getting ready for a major change in the way people travel on its rivers. The state government has decided to slowly replace old wooden boats with new fibre-reinforced plastic (FRP) boats, which are stronger, safer and cheaper to maintain. This plan is being carried out through the Game Changer Scheme with the help of the National Inland Navigation Institute (NINI). The training centre is preparing new facilities so that students can learn how to build these modern boats. The project is expected to begin by the end of this year.
These new plastic boats will be much better than the wooden ones currently used in most parts of Bihar. Each boat will be about 10 metres long and will be able to carry 25 to 30 people at one time. It will take around four months to build one boat. The biggest advantage is that these FRP boats will not need frequent repairs and can run smoothly for almost ten years. This will save money for boat owners and also make journeys safer for passengers.
The project will also create new job opportunities. Students who receive training at NINI will not only learn how to build boats but will also be able to start their own small businesses in boat making and repair. When Transport Minister Shravan Kumar visited the Gaighat ship repair centre, officials told him that this scheme would help young people find work in the water transport sector. With more than 1,550 ghats and about 6,600 registered boats in Bihar, the demand for better boats is very high.
The government believes that water transport is one of the cheapest and most eco-friendly ways to travel and move goods. Shravan Kumar recently travelled by water metro from Gaighat to Digha Ghat to understand its potential. He said that using rivers to transport sand, vegetables and other heavy items will reduce pressure on roads and lower the risk of accidents. It will also help save fuel and reduce pollution.
Bihar’s rivers can also help grow trade with other states and even with Nepal. New water terminals are planned to improve trade between Bhagalpur and Biratnagar. Through National Waterway-1, goods from Bihar can reach big ports like Kolkata and Haldia, opening doors to foreign markets. The government also plans to reduce the distance limit for transport grants, which will make river travel between cities like Patna, Bhagalpur and Sahibganj more active.
Overall, the move to plastic boats and modern water transport is expected to give Bihar’s river system a fresh start. It will improve safety, create jobs, support trade and make travel easier for thousands of people who depend on rivers every day.
