Sign of progress, India’s first multi-modal terminal on Ganga is to boost inland waterways transport. It is to promote inland waterways as a cheaper and environmental-friendly alternative means of transport especially for cargo movement under the Jal Marg Vikas Project.
Developing along the stretch of Ganga between Varanasi in Uttar Pradesh to Haldi in West Bengal, it will enable navigation of large vessels weighing up to 1,500-2,000 tonnes by maintaining a drought of 2-3 metres. The vessel models have been designed by Germany-based company DST and focus on efficiency, low transport cost, high safety, low draft and high carrying capacity. Great. The inland waterway will significantly enhance the existing multi-modal transport around the city, including the Lal Bahadur Shastri International Airport and the recently renamed Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Railway Junction. This would make Varanasi an economic hub. Watch