NEW DELHI: Far off cities may soon be have access to freshly plucked marigold from Kaithi in Varanasi, vegetables from Ghazipur and Munger, banana and paan (betel) from Hajipur and fruits from Bhagalpur as the government goes ahead with setting up small community jetties along the Ganga.

This initiative is part of the Arth Ganga plan, which aims to boost economic activities along the holy river and benefit people living in adjoining areas.

Unveiling the initiative announced in this year’s budget speech, Union shipping minister Mansukh Lal Mandaviya said the waterway between Allahabad in Uttar Pradesh and Haldia in West Bengal has been identified as the most economically viable waterway projects across the globe by the World Bank.

While adding that the entire project will be completed by first quarter of 2023, the minister said the waterway will see at least four-fold increase in cargo volume. According to government estimates, almost 50% Indian population lives around the river belt in which about one-fifth of the country’s freight originates and one-third terminates. “We are maintaining at least 3.5 metre depth from Haldia to Sahibganj (900 km) and 2.5 metres on the Sahibganj-Patna stretch round the year. Similarly, between Patna and Varanasi there will be assured minimum 1.5 metre depth for movement of vessels,” he added.

Mandaviya said the cargo volume has increased from 30 lakh tonnes to 70 lakh tonnes in the past two years and the vessels inflow has increased from 300 to 700. He added the government will allow private companies to have their jetties along the river, if they set up non-polluting industries. There is a huge potential for food processing industries along the river as they can get the best quality raw materials from these localities.

Mandaviya also said the waterway will act as the main conduit of connection with Nepal in a trilateral manner, that is from Varanasi to Nautanwa (280 kms), Kaughat to Raxaul (204 kms) and Sahibganj to Biratnagar (233 kms). Earlier, Nepal was connected by Kolkata and Visakhapatnam ports for transporting cargo.

“Now, inland waterways will be allowed under Treaty for Transit of Cargo between Government of India and Government of Nepal. It will save logistic cost and decongest Kolkata Port as well,” he said

