Kalughat Terminal Opens: Bihar Gets Inland Waterways Boost

On February 15, 2024, Sarbananda Sonowal, the Union Minister of Ports, Shipping, and Waterways, officially inaugurated the Kalughat Inland Waterways Terminal (IWT) in Saran district, Bihar. This terminal marks a significant milestone in facilitating cargo movement, particularly for shipments bound for Nepal, alongside the inauguration of two community jetties in West Champaran.

Strategically situated on the northern bank of the river Ganga with direct access to National Highway-31, the Kalughat IWT is poised to streamline cargo movement through Raxaul and the northern hinterland of Bihar. With an investment of Rs 82.48 crore, the terminal boasts infrastructure featuring a berth spanning 125 meters by 30 meters, capable of handling 77,000 TEUs annually.

The Kalughat IWT is part of a network of four multi-modal terminals (MMT) established along National Waterways (NW), which includes Varanasi, Sahibganj, and Haldia. Minister Sonowal emphasized that this development will greatly benefit the riverine community of Bihar, facilitating smoother transportation of goods and passengers.

Additionally, the construction of floating jetties on the river Gandak at Mangalpur and Bettiah in West Champaran further strengthens connectivity between Nepal and India via NW-37. This initiative is expected to enhance market access for producers of various goods.

The Inland Waterways Authority of India has committed substantial investment, approximately Rs 5,000 crore, to develop NW-1 as a vital cargo logistics route traversing Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand, and West Bengal, underscoring its commitment to bolstering inland waterway transportation infrastructure.

News by Rahul yelligetti