Patna: Union Minister of Ports, Shipping, and Waterways (MoPSW) Sarbananda Sonowal to inaugurate the Kalughat Inland Waterways Terminal and a series of community jetties in Bihar, marking a significant transformation in the state’s maritime infrastructure. The inauguration ceremony will be held at the Kalughat IWT Terminal, situated in Saran, Bihar.
The Kalughat IWT Terminal, constructed at a cost of Rs. 82.48 Crore, is poised to play a crucial role in bolstering the region’s transportation network. Strategically located on the north bank of the river Ganga, it offers direct access to NH-19, serving as a vital link for cargo movement, particularly for shipments bound for Nepal through Raxaul and the northern hinterlands of Bihar. The terminal features state-of-the-art infrastructure, including a 125m x 30m berth capable of handling 77,000 TEUs annually, as well as dedicated areas for container storage, truck parking, and essential facilities such as administration, amenities, and security. Designed exclusively for container traffic, Kalughat is equipped with utilities like sewage treatment plants, firefighting systems, and robust IT infrastructure to ensure seamless operations. Its strategic location promises to enhance connectivity to ports in Haldia/Kolkata, further catalyzing regional trade and commerce.
In addition to the Kalughat Terminal, Sonowal will lay the foundation stone for two community jetties in Bettiah, Bihar, along the Gandak River. Furthermore, he will inaugurate 14 community jetties in Bihar and two in Jharkhand on February 15, 2024. These projects are poised to enhance connectivity and facilitate trade along inland waterways, fostering economic growth in the region.
Floating pontoon jetties at Mangalpur and Bettiah on the river Gandak, costing Rs. 3.33 crore, will serve as crucial links between Nepal and India via NW-37, expanding market access for producers of various goods. Additionally, the construction of community jetties at 14 locations along NW-1 in Bihar, at a cost of Rs. 17.50 crore, will provide local farmers and traders with direct market access, promote tourism, and create employment opportunities, thereby bolstering the socio-economic landscape of the region.