Bihar Water Metro Project: The Patna water metro service on the Ganga is set to launch in January 2026, after witnessing several delays. The launch was initially scheduled for Dussehra 2025.
Arvind Kumar, Director of the Inland Waterways Authority of India, Patna, stated that following a technical inspection, the vessel procured for the water metro has already undergone trials in the Ganga. The necessary registration and survey certificates for its operation are to be received from the West Bengal government. This matter is currently under process.
The electric vessel, MV-Gomdharkunwar, built by Hooghly Cochin Shipyard Limited on the banks of the Hooghly River in Howrah, Kolkata, for Rs 12 crore, is docked in the Ganga near the port at Gaighat.
Kumar stated that the survey report has been received from the Indian Register of Shipping (IRS), which inspects and certifies the vessel, but the certificate is still awaited. The water metro service on the Ganga will be launched with the MV-Gomdharkunwar in January of the new year.
The IWAI Director stated that to launch the water metro service between Digha and Kangan Ghat, charging points need to be installed on floating community jetties at Digha and NIT Ghat to charge the electric vessel. This work is to be undertaken by the Bihar government.
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After departing from Digha, the vessel will charge at NIT Ghat. From there, it will travel to Kangan Ghat. On its return, it will charge again at NIT Ghat before proceeding to Digha Ghat. The tourism department also plans to install a charging point at Kangan Ghat. This matter is currently in the tender process.
The vessel's battery, which charges in half an hour, will allow it to operate for approximately one and a half hours. This air-conditioned vessel has 50 seats for tourists and standing room for about 25 people.