IWAI Builds 4 Powerful Pontoon Jetties in Bhagalpur, Bihar for Enhanced Water Transport

India’s Inland Waterways Authority has constructed four pontoon jetties in Bhagalpur district, Bihar, costing ₹5.61 crore, while onshore facilities are being developed at Sultan Ganj, Kahalani, and Baitcasting. The Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI) has successfully constructed four state-of-the-art pontoon jetties in Bhagalpur district of Bihar. This strategic move is aimed at enhancing the scope and efficiency of inland water transport (IWT) along National Waterway-1 (NW-1), which stretches from Allahabad (Prayagraj) to Haldia via Varanasi and Kolkata. The initiative is expected to transform Bhagalpur into a major node in the eastern waterways logistics network, supporting both economic growth and sustainable transport.

Strategic Locations in Bhagalpur

The jetties have been installed at four important river points in Bhagalpur: Kahalgaon, Barari, Gopalpur, and Sultanganj. These locations were identified for their accessibility, commercial potential, and connectivity to regional agricultural and industrial hubs. The move is expected to benefit farmers, traders, and small-scale industries by facilitating faster and cheaper transport of goods, especially seasonal agricultural produce like bananas, rice, and silk products—staples of Bhagalpur’s economy.

Boost to Regional Trade and Connectivity

With these new facilities, IWAI aims to encourage multi-modal transport by integrating waterways with road and rail networks. The initiative aligns with India’s push towards reducing carbon emissions and shifting cargo movement from roadways to more sustainable modes. The jetties will not only support passenger ferry services but also aid cargo movement, promoting regional trade across eastern Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand, and West Bengal. The jetties are also expected to boost local employment and create small business opportunities through increased river tourism and cargo services. IWAI is reportedly planning to train local operators, promote community involvement, and enable private partnerships to ensure the long-term sustainability of these terminals.

You can also explore how National Waterway-1 plays a vital role in India’s riverine trade ecosystem and the government’s push for green logistics under its ambitious Ganga-Brahmaputra waterways development. IWAI’s investment in these jetties promotes green logistics by reducing dependency on diesel trucks for freight. This will contribute to lower carbon emissions and help India move closer to its net-zero goals. Moreover, local industries including textiles, agriculture, and stone mining stand to gain from reduced freight costs and improved connectivity. A pilot cargo movement has already been initiated to test load handling and connectivity routes from Bhagalpur to Sahibganj and Haldia.

Government’s Focus on Inland Waterways

This development is part of IWAI’s larger agenda under the Jal Marg Vikas Project (JMVP), supported by the World ( Water Transport) Bank, which seeks to develop the Ganga waterway for commercial navigation. The pontoon jetties are designed for quick installation and flexibility, making them ideal for regions with fluctuating river water levels like the Ganga. IWAI has already set up similar jetties in Varanasi, Sahibganj, and Haldia, and this expansion into Bhagalpur is expected to further unlock Bihar’s trade potential. For more updates on similar infrastructure developments in Bihar, you can read about the recent and, which show the central government’s broader commitment to eastern India’s connectivity.

Economic and Social Impact

The new jetties are anticipated to generate employment opportunities locally and empower communities by improving river accessibility. Additionally, IWAI is planning to offer training programs for boat operators and local entrepreneurs to encourage participation in the river logistics sector. The use of pontoons also ensures minimal ecological disruption and cost-effective expansion of river port infrastructure.