India’s Minister for Road Transport & Highways, Shipping and Water Resources, River Development & Ganga Rejuvenation Shri Nitin Gadkari, will lay the foundation stone for an Intermodal Terminal at Ghazipur in Uttar Pradesh.
The Ghazipur terminal will be linked to both NW-I or River Ganga and NH-19. The terminal aims to provide more efficient movement of large and small cargo by providing the options for both land and water transportation or the option for intermodal switching.
As part of Inland Waterways Authority of India’s (IWAY) efforts to promote environment friendly mode of transport, LNG bunkering facility will also be included at the Ghazipur terminal, as LNG fuelled vessels are expected to sail on NW1. The first phase of the terminal construction will have been completed by April 2020.
The development of this project aims to provide an environment friendly, fuel efficient and cost-effective alternative mode of transportation, especially for bulk goods, hazardous goods and over dimensional cargo.
The terminal at Ghazipur is part of the Rs 5369 Crore Jal Marg Vikas project. Other projects include construction of three multi modal terminals at Varanasi, Sahibganj and Haldia, a new navigational lock at Farakka, bank protection works, river navigation system, construction of Ro-Ro terminals and another intermodal terminals at Kalughat. As a result, Jal Marg Vikas project could therefore turn River Ganga into an economic lifeline for the region.
In a summary, the proposed project has the following targets:
- Reduce transportation cost by enabling cargo movement on river and providing linkage with hinterland.
- Ensure efficient & economic intermodal supply chains throughout UP & Bihar.
- Create employment opportunity.
- Boost to trade & commerce in the region.
- Cold storage facilities for farmers & other small scale industries.
