Inland Waterways in Bihar: Potential, Challenges, and the Way Forward
Introduction
Inland waterways in Bihar represent a major opportunity to revive the state’s historical river-based transport system. Bihar, located in the heart of the Indo-Gangetic Plain and cradled by the Ganga, has traditionally depended on rivers for trade, transport, and livelihoods. With rising pressure on roads and railways, inland water transport has re-emerged as a cost-effective and environment-friendly alternative.
Recognising this potential, the Government of India has declared several rivers of Bihar as National Waterways under the National Waterways Act, 2016. This policy shift can transform Bihar’s connectivity, economy, and tourism—if managed sustainably.
River System of Bihar
Bihar is a landlocked but water-rich state, with rivers forming the main source of surface water. The Ganga flows west to east across the middle of Bihar and acts as the backbone of the drainage system. Most rivers of Bihar ultimately drain into the Ganga, making it the natural axis for inland navigation. The map shows that inland waterways in Bihar are distributed across:
- The Ganga main channel (central Bihar)
- Himalayan rivers like Gandak and Kosi in North Bihar
- Plateau-origin rivers like Son and Punpun in South Bihar
This river network provides a natural base for multimodal transport integration.
National Waterways in Bihar
Under the National Waterways Act, 2016, seven rivers in Bihar have been declared National Waterways, significantly expanding the scope of inland water transport.
Designated National Waterways in Bihar:
- Ganga – NW-1 (part of the Allahabad–Haldia stretch)
- Gandak – NW-37
- Kosi – NW-58
- Ghaghara
- Son
- Punpun
- Karmnasa
Among these, NW-1 on the Ganga is the most developed and strategically important, linking Bihar with major markets of eastern India and ports on the Bay of Bengal.
Current Status and Latest Data
- NW-1 (Ganga) is India’s longest operational inland waterway, and Bihar forms a crucial central segment of it.
- Inland water transport is 3–4 times cheaper than road transport for bulk cargo.
- According to studies by the Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI), Cost per tonne-kilometre for Waterways is up to ₹1.25 and for Roads, it is up to ₹4.
Despite this advantage, the share of inland waterways in India’s freight transport remains below 5%, indicating vast untapped potential for Bihar.
Potential Benefits of Inland Waterways in Bihar
Inland waterways in Bihar can act as a game-changer for transport, trade, and regional development. The benefits are economic, social, and environmental in nature.
1. Improved Connectivity for Remote and Flood-Prone Areas
Many regions of Bihar, especially North Bihar, remain poorly connected due to floods and weak road infrastructure. Inland waterways provide a reliable alternative during monsoon, when roads and rail lines are frequently disrupted. River-based transport can link interior districts with major markets along the Ganga corridor, ensuring continuity of movement even during extreme weather events. This is particularly useful for transporting food grains, relief materials, and essential goods.
2. Decongestion of Highways and Railways
Roads and railways in Bihar are heavily overburdened, leading to congestion, delays, and high maintenance costs. Shifting bulk cargo to waterways can significantly ease this pressure. According to a study by NITI Aayog, development of inland waterways can reduce road traffic by nearly 25–30% in major corridors. This improves overall transport efficiency and reduces wear and tear of road infrastructure.
3. Lower Logistics Cost and Competitive Advantage
One of the biggest advantages of inland waterways is low transportation cost. Studies by the Inland Waterways Authority of India show that the cost of transporting one tonne of cargo over one kilometre is around ₹1.25 by waterways, compared to ₹2.5–4 by road. For Bihar, this is crucial for bulky commodities such as:
- Agricultural produce
- Coal and cement
- Food grains and fertilisers
Lower logistics costs directly increase farmer income and industrial competitiveness.
4. Environmental and Energy Benefits
Inland water transport is fuel-efficient and environment-friendly. It consumes less fuel per tonne-kilometre and emits significantly lower carbon dioxide compared to road transport. Reduced dependence on diesel trucks also helps cut air pollution in urban centres like Patna. In the long run, adoption of electric or biofuel-powered vessels can further enhance sustainability of inland waterways in Bihar. In essence, inland waterways in Bihar combine economic efficiency with environmental sustainability, making them a vital pillar for future transport and development planning in the state.
5. Economic and Employment Opportunities
Development of inland waterways can act as an economic stimulus for Bihar.
- Creation of jobs in port construction, vessel operation, logistics, and maintenance
- Boost to trade and agro-based industries along river corridors
- Growth of ancillary sectors like shipbuilding and repair
The World Bank has highlighted inland waterways as a job-generating sector, especially in labour-surplus states like Bihar.
6. Tourism Potential through Inland Waterways
Inland waterways in Bihar can also promote river-based tourism.
- River cruises on the Ganga can connect Patna, religious towns, and historical sites
- Eco-tourism and heritage tourism can be developed along Gandak and Kosi
- Successful models like the Sundarbans water tourism show the viability of this approach
River tourism can diversify Bihar’s tourism beyond pilgrimage and create local employment.
Challenges in Developing Inland Waterways in Bihar
Despite strong potential, inland waterways in Bihar face multiple structural, environmental, and social challenges that limit their effective development. These challenges are deeply linked to the natural behaviour of rivers and human dependence on riverine ecosystems.
1. Riverine Challenges
The biggest challenge for inland waterways in Bihar is the dynamic nature of its rivers, especially Himalayan rivers like Kosi and Gandak. These rivers carry an extremely high sediment load from the Himalayas and Nepal, leading to rapid siltation of riverbeds. As a result, the navigable depth of rivers reduces frequently, making regular dredging unavoidable and costly.
Another major issue is frequent shifting of river channels, particularly in the Kosi basin. Channel migration alters navigation routes, damages infrastructure like jetties and terminals, and increases uncertainty for long-term planning. In addition, most rivers show sharp seasonal variation in water levels—very high discharge during monsoon and insufficient depth during lean seasons—making year-round navigation difficult without extensive river training works.
2. Environmental Concerns
Development of inland waterways involves activities such as dredging, terminal construction, and increased vessel movement, all of which can disturb fragile river ecosystems. Dredging can damage fish breeding grounds, alter sediment balance, and reduce water quality. Bihar’s rivers also support sensitive aquatic biodiversity, including endangered species like the Gangetic dolphin, which is highly vulnerable to noise, water pollution, and habitat disruption.
Increased cargo movement raises the risk of oil spills, waste discharge, and fuel leakage, which can degrade water quality and affect both biodiversity and human health. Therefore, without strict environmental safeguards, inland waterways may cause irreversible ecological damage.
3. Social Concerns
Large sections of Bihar’s population depend directly on rivers for fishing, agriculture, and daily livelihoods. Construction of terminals, embankments, and navigation channels may lead to displacement of riverbank communities or restrict traditional access to river resources. Fishermen, in particular, may face reduced catch due to changes in river flow and ecosystem disturbance.
In the absence of proper social impact assessments, development projects risk generating local resistance. Effective inland waterway development in Bihar therefore requires fair compensation, rehabilitation measures, and continuous consultation with affected communities to ensure inclusive and conflict-free implementation.
In summary, while inland waterways in Bihar offer major economic advantages, their development must carefully balance navigation needs with river dynamics, environmental protection, and social justice.
Government Initiatives and Institutional Support
The Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI) is the nodal agency for developing inland waterways in Bihar. Key initiatives include:
- Development of terminals and jetties on NW-1
- Use of environment-friendly dredging techniques
- Promotion of multimodal connectivity with rail and road networks
- Under the National Waterways Act, 2016, 7 rivers in Bihar have been declared National Waterways, placing Bihar among the top states in India in terms of number of notified waterways.
- The Government of India, through the Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI), has prioritised NW-1 (Ganga), where Bihar forms a critical central stretch. NW-1 alone accounts for more than 40% of India’s total inland water cargo movement.
- According to IWAI data, cargo movement on NW-1 has increased more than 3 times since 2014, driven by movement of food grains, coal, fly ash, and construction materials, directly benefiting riverine states like Bihar.
- The Jal Marg Vikas Project (JMVP) on the Ganga has an overall investment of ₹5,369 crore, with terminals, navigation aids, and river training works improving navigability in Bihar’s stretch of the river.
- Bihar has been identified for development of river terminals, jetties, and multimodal connectivity points along the Ganga, with inland water transport increasingly integrated with rail and road networks to reduce logistics cost.
Way Forward for Inland Waterways in Bihar
For inland waterways in Bihar to succeed, a balanced and integrated approach is required. Priority areas include:
- Basin-level planning and real-time river monitoring
- Integration with road and rail transport for seamless logistics
- Promotion of clean technologies like electric or biofuel-powered vessels
- Public–private partnerships to mobilise investment
- Skill development for local youth in navigation and logistics
Sustainability must remain central to ensure long-term benefits.
Conclusion
Inland waterways in Bihar offer a transformative pathway for improving connectivity, reducing transport costs, and stimulating economic growth. With seven designated National Waterways and a strong river network anchored by the Ganga, Bihar has natural advantages few states possess. However, realising this potential demands careful planning, environmental sensitivity, and inclusive development. If implemented wisely, inland waterways can become a powerful engine of sustainable development for Bihar’s economy and society.
BPSC Mains Practice Questions (Inland Waterways in Bihar)
- Discuss the significance of inland waterways in Bihar. Examine their potential role in improving connectivity, reducing logistics costs, and boosting the state economy.
- Identify the major challenges in developing inland waterways in Bihar. How can environmental and social concerns be addressed while expanding inland water transport?
- Inland waterways are key to sustainable transport development. Analyse this statement in the context of National Waterways and recent government initiatives in Bihar.
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