Kalughat, strategically located on the
north bank of the River Ganga in Bihar’s Saran District, emerges as a vital
nexus in the region’s transportation network. With its direct access to NH-19,
the terminal serves as a pivotal link for cargo movement, particularly for
Nepal-bound shipments via Raxaul and the hinterland of North Bihar. Constructed
at a cost of Rs. 82.48 Crore, the terminal’s infrastructure includes a 125m x
30m berth with a capacity of 77,000 TEUs annually. The Kalughat Terminal will
have direct road connectivity with NH-19 and is at a critical location for
transportation of cargo originating or destined for hinterland of North Bihar.
During the inauguration ceremony Shri
Sonowal said, “in the last 10 years, four Multi-Modal
Terminals have been developed on National Waterways which include MMT
Varanasi, Sahibganj, Haldia and Kalughat. Three of our neighbouring countries,
Bangladesh, Bhutan and Myanmar have been connected by waterways leading to
increase in regional trade. The projects worth Rs. 86 Crore inaugurated today
will usher in all-round economic prosperity to the riverine community of Bihar
through enhanced and smoother transportation of goods and passengers”.
Moreover, floating pontoon jetties at
Mangalpur and Bettiah on the river Gandak have been established to connect
Nepal and India via NW-37, representing an investment of Rs. 3.33 crore. These
jetties will significantly enhance market access for producers of various
goods, fostering economic exchange and growth in the region.
‘These projects
mark a significant milestone in Bihar’s transportation infrastructure and
reaffirm the commitment to leveraging the potential of inland waterways for
inclusive growth and development’, added
the Minister.
The government has been undertaking
various measures to develop National Waterways as a viable, thriving mode of
transport, especially for cargo, to reduce logistics costs and make Indian
industry. The Number of operational waterways has increased to 23 from 05
in 2014. The cargo movement on National Waterways has increased significantly
to 126.15 Million-ton from April 2022- March 2023 against 108.79 Million-ton
last year for the same period, recording 16 % growth.
The Sagarmala programme of the
Ministry Ports, Shipping and Waterways is harnessing 14,500 km of potentially
navigable waterways….
As part of the comprehensive Maritime India Vision (MIV)-2030, the
Government has outlined ambitious plans to elevate the share of Inland Water
Transport (IWT) to 5%. The Amrit Kaal Vision 2047 aims
to operationalize 50 waterways by 2047, facilitating efficient transportation
networks nationwide.