In a significant infrastructural development, the Prime Minister of India has launched the country’s second riverine Multi Modal terminal situated in Sahibganj, Jharkhand. The construction of this terminal is on the National Waterway-1 (River Ganga) under the Jal Marg Vikas Project (JMVP). The project received financial assistance from the World Bank. It succeeds the first MultiModal Terminal constructed in Varanasi on the River Ganga.
The Significance of Multi-Modal Terminal
The establishment of the Multi-Modal Terminal presents numerous benefits, particularly for industries in Jharkhand and Bihar. Not only will these industries now have access to global markets, but they will also provide much-needed industry growth in the regions. The terminal will also facilitate Indo-Nepal cargo connectivity using the waterways route, allowing for more accessible and efficient trade.
Another crucial objective of the terminal is to enable a more straightforward transportation process for domestic coal from Rajmahal area mines to various thermal power plants along National Waterway-1. Stone chips, fertilisers, cement, and sugar are other commodities expected to be transported through the terminal.
The terminal will offer enhanced connectivity to Kolkata, Haldia, and further to Bay of Bengal by merging road-rail-river transport at Sahibganj. It will also pave the way for connectivity to North-East States via Bangladesh using the river-sea route.
| Benefit | Description |
|---|---|
| Global Market Access | Opens up Jharkhand and Bihar industries to international markets |
| Improved Connectivity | Enhances transport links to Kolkata, Haldia, and further to the Bay of Bengal |
| Cargo Transportation | Facilitates easier transportation of goods like coal, stone chips, fertilisers, cement, and sugar |
| Indo-Nepal trade | Boosts Indo-Nepal cargo connectivity via waterways route |
National Waterway-1: An Overview
The Ganga-Bhagirathi-Hooghly river system, spanning from Allahabad to Haldia, was declared as National Waterway No.1. This waterway, known as NW-1, crosses Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand, and West Bengal. Offering access to major cities and their industrial hinterlands, NW-1 plays a crucial role in facilitating transportation and trade in these regions.
Last Modified: February 6, 2024