• Source:JND
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Patna Water Metro: In an effort to reduce heavy traffic and road collapse incidents, the central government has announced a plan to promote water-based freight and passenger transport through the Ganga. Patna is set to become a major hub for this inland waterway network, which will also benefit states like Uttar Pradesh, Jharkhand and West Bengal.

Union Ports, Shipping and Waterways Minister Sarbananda Sonowal shared the details of this initiative during his visit to Bihar. He said that water transport is not only cost-effective but also environmentally sustainable and will offer a better alternative to road and rail.

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Water Metro and Jetties to Come Up in Patna

As part of the plan, a water metro system will be developed in Patna. This will improve local transport and ease daily travel for residents. In addition, 16 new jetties will be built and terminals for cruise maintenance will also be set up to support the growing infrastructure.

The government believes that increasing the use of river routes for cargo and passengers will reduce the pressure on roads, cutting down on traffic and helping to prevent road collapses caused by overloaded freight vehicles.

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NINI to Become Centre of Excellence

The National Inland Navigation Institute (NINI) located in Patna will be upgraded to a Centre of Excellence, focusing on training, research, and development in the water transport sector. This is aimed at strengthening manpower and innovation in the inland waterway system.

Task Force to Explore Further Expansion

A task force will be formed within a month to examine what more can be done to develop water transport in Bihar. The team will study potential routes and recommend additional steps to build an efficient and reliable network.