New Delhi: The Yogi Adityanath-led Uttar Pradesh government is preparing for a major expansion of water transport across the state, With robust backing from the central government. UP blessed with perennial rivers such as the Ganga, Yamuna, and Saryu, Uttar Pradesh possesses vast potential for inland waterway development. These rivers flow year-round, and the state boasts the longest navigable stretch of the Ganga—running from Bijnor to Ballia—making it an ideal region for boosting water transport systems.
Being a landlocked state, Uttar Pradesh requires efficient connectivity to seaports, making water transport not merely an option but a vital necessity. Unsurprisingly, Uttar Pradesh was chosen to host the country’s first inland waterway—National Waterway-1.
In its initial phase, National Waterway-1 stretches across nearly 1,100 kilometers, connecting Prayagraj, Varanasi, and Ghazipur with Haldia Port in West Bengal. To support this waterway, crucial infrastructure including the Multi-Modal Terminal in Varanasi and floating terminals at Ramnagar, Ghazipur, and Prayagraj have already been established and are operational.
To ensure seamless cargo movement, the central government has recently sanctioned the construction of vertical-lift bridges over the Ganga in Ghazipur, Ballia, and Varanasi. These advanced bridges lift vertically to allow ships to pass and then return to their original positions, eliminating any disruption in transportation. As the scope of inland navigation broadens, the number of such bridges is also set to increase.
Further developments include similar lifting bridges on the Yamuna, Gomti, Saryu, Betwa, Varuna, and Rapti rivers in the second phase of the expansion. The Yogi Adityanath government is fully committed to incorporating these rivers into the growing water transport network of the state.
Additionally, feasibility studies are currently underway—supported by the Centre—to examine the navigational potential of rivers such as the Mandakini, Ken, and Karmanasha. According to the plan, the central government will operate and maintain the new bridges for two years after their construction, after which they will be handed over to the state government. Moreover, the extension of National Waterway-1 from Kanpur to Farrukhabad is also in the pipeline, promising to further enhance connectivity within Uttar Pradesh.
Waterways present a cost-effective and sustainable alternative to rail, road, and air transport. At a recent FICCI National Executive Meeting held in Lucknow, State President Manoj Gupta emphasized that water transport can be up to 90% more economical than traditional methods. In addition to being cost-efficient, it is also significantly safer, with a lower risk of accidents, and helps decongest busy roads by diverting heavy cargo traffic to river routes.
Water transport is also an environmentally friendly mode of transit due to its minimal fuel usage. It opens up direct cargo pathways along riverbanks, allowing regional producers to access