Lok Sabha Question No. 3255 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-08-08
Subject: Jal Marg Vikas Project
Ministry: PORTS, SHIPPING AND WATERWAYS
Asked by: Dr. Shrikant Eknath Shinde, Shri Ravindra Dattaram Waikar, Smt. Shambhavi, Shri Rajesh Verma, Shri Naresh Ganpat Mhaske

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF PORTS, SHIPPING AND WATERWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3255

ANSWERED ON 08.08.2025

## JAL MARG VIKAS PROJECT

## 3255.  SHRI RAJESH VERMA:

SMT. SHAMBHAVI:

SHRI RAVINDRA DATTARAM WAIKAR:

SHRI NARESH GANPAT MHASKE:

DR. SHRIKANT EKNATH SHINDE:

## Will the Minister of PORTS, SHIPPING AND WATERWAYS be pleased to state:

## पȅन , पोत पįरवहन और जलमागŊ मंũी

- (a) the manner in which the construction of community jetties under the Jal Marg Vikas Project  (JMVP)  is  expected  to  enhance  the  socio-economic  conditions  of  local communities in the State of Maharashtra;
- (b)  the  specific  benefits  these  floating  jetties  provides  for  local  trade,  tourism  and livelihood support in riverine areas in the States of Bihar and Maharashtra;
- (c) whether there are plans for further expansion of jetty construction to promote inland waterways transportation and its economic potential in the said States;
- (d) the manner in which the Government ensures the maintenance and sustainability of these jetties to maximize their utility for the communities they serve; and
- (e) the measures being taken to assess the impact of these jetties on local fisheries, tourism and overall economic development in the said regions?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF PORTS, SHIPPING AND WATERWAYS (SHRI SARBANANDA SONOWAL)

- (a) The Jal Marg Vikas Project (JMVP) is a World Bank assisted project for capacity augmentation  of  National Waterway-1  (NW-1)  on  Ganga-Bhaghirathi-Hooghly  river system,  passing  through  the  states  of  Uttar  Pradesh,  Bihar,  Jharkhand  and  West Bengal. However, it does not cover the State of Maharashtra.
- (b)  &  (c) The  community  jetties  are  developed  under  the  initiative  of  Arth  Ganga focusing on sustainable development and synergizing economic activities along the riverbanks  by  improving  Inland  Water  Transport  (IWT)  connectivity.  These  jetties provide  economic  benefits  to  farmers,  traders,  and  local  communities  in  terms  of reduced transportation cost, growth of small scale industries, employment

opportunities, improved logistics etc.  Moreover, these jetties are used for river cruise tourism  purpose.  In  the  State  of  Bihar,  total  21  community  jetties  have  been commissioned and further deployment of additional community jetties is also planned based upon the requirements projected by the State.

(d) Community jetties are maintained through a State Support Agreement (SSA) between Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI), an autonomous body under the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways and the concerned State Governments.

(e) IWAI is conducting regular impact assessment of these jetties in the States of Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand and West Bengal through a third party. These jetties have positive impact on local fisheries, tourism and overall economic development of the region. They encourage development of local trades, facilitate livelihood creation, generates several direct and indirect employment opportunities in areas of construction, cargo/cruise/passenger ferry operation, and ancillary services like - boat repair, first and last mile connectivity etc. resulting in reduced logistics cost.

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