IWAI and World Bank Jal Marg Vikas Project Details, Features, Benefits

Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI) Signed Agreement with World Bank for Jal Marg Vikas Project- Details, Features, Benefits

Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI) signed a project agreement with the World Bank on 2nd February 2018 for Jal Marg Vikas Project (JMVP) in order to enhance navigation on National Waterway-1 from Varanasi (Uttar Pradesh) to Haldia (West Bengal).

IWAI has also further entered into a 375 million US dollar loan agreement with the Department of Economic Affairs for JMVP.

Jal Marg Vikas Project (JMVP) would be developed with 800 million US dollars out of the remaining amount 380 million dollars would be sourced through the Indian Government and another 45 million dollars would come from private sector participation under the PPP mode

JMVP is India’s first modern waterway proposed to develop between Varanasi and Haldia (including Bihar & Jharkhand) on Ganges River and will cover a distance of 1620 km by March 2023.

JMVP will allow commercial navigation of ships with the capacity of 1500-2,000 tons on NW-1. It also includes the development of fairway, multi-modal terminals, strengthening of open river navigation technique, conservancy works, modern River Information System (RIS) etc.

JMVP will ensure environment-friendly, fuel-efficient and cost-effective alternative mode of transportation, especially for bulk goods, hazardous goods and over-dimensional cargo.

JMVP on NH-1along with proposed Eastern Dedicated Freight Corridor (EDFC) and NW-2 constitutes the Eastern Transport Corridor of India which will connect the National Capital Region (NCR) with the eastern and north-eastern countries.

As per source, JMVP would also lead to direct employment generation of around 46,000 and indirect employment of 84,000 in Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand and West Bengal.