Sonowal announces Water Metro study and ship repair facility for Patna
On 16 June 2025 in Patna, Bihar, Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal announced a Water Metro proposal and a ship repair facility at the first Consultative Workshop on Inland Waterways Development on National Waterway-1 (Ganga).
Summary
Union Ports, Shipping and Waterways Minister Sarbananda Sonowal chaired the first Consultative Workshop on Inland Waterways Development on National Waterway-1 (river Ganga) in Patna on 16 June 2025. He said Patna is being considered for a Water Metro on the lines of the Kochi Water Metro, connecting both banks of the river, and that a ship repair facility, also able to build new vessels, will be set up in Patna. A Joint Task Force of the Bihar Government, the Ministry and the Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI) will explore development on NW-1 in Bihar. The Patna-based National Inland Navigation Institute (NINI) is being upgraded as a Centre of Excellence. Ministers from Bihar, Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal attended.
Key facts
- Event
- First Consultative Workshop on IWT on NW-1, Patna, 16 June 2025
- Water Metro
- Patna being considered, on Kochi Water Metro model
- Ship Repair Facility
- To be set up in Patna; can also build new ships
- Other
- Joint Task Force (Bihar, MoPSW, IWAI); NINI Patna to be Centre of Excellence
- NW-1 (static)
- National Waterway-1 is on the river Ganga (PIB)
Practice MCQs 2 questions
The Water Metro proposed for Patna in June 2025 is to replicate the model of which city's water metro?
Show answer
Correct answer: B — Kochi
PIB (MoPSW): Patna is being considered for the introduction of a Water Metro, replicating the successful Kochi Water Metro model.
Which Patna-based institution is being upgraded as a Centre of Excellence, as announced on 16 June 2025?
Show answer
Correct answer: C — National Inland Navigation Institute
PIB (MoPSW): Patna based National Inland Navigation Institute (NINI) is being upgraded as Centre of Excellence.