LEAD NEWS : TOURISM DEPARTMENT OF BIHAR INKS DEAL WITH INLAND WATERWAYS AUTHORITY OF INDIA (IWAI) TO LAUNCH WATER METRO SERVICE IN PATNA

BY DEBAJYOTI CHAKRABORTY

PATNA | 20 SEPTEMBER 2025

On 19 September 2025, a significant Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signedin Bhavnagar, Gujarat, between the Tourism Department, Government of Bihar, andthe Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI) to launch a Water Metro Service in Patna.

This initiative aims to develop and promote a tourism-friendly urban water transportsystem in Patna city, providing citizens with a safe, eco-friendly, and modern mode of transport.

Under this project, state-of-the-art hybrid electric catamaran vessels, such as the MV Nishadraj, will be operated.
These vessels can run in both battery and hybrid modes, ensuring zero carbon emissions.

Each vessel will have a capacity of around 100 passengers, including provisions for two wheelchair users, and will feature fully air-conditioned and comfortable facilities for travelers.

At a grand ceremony held in Bhavnagar, Gujarat, the MoU for the ₹908 crore Urban Water Metro Project was signed in the presence of Union Ministers  Sarbananda Sonowal and  MansukhMandaviya.

The agreement was signed by IWAI Chairman  ,Sunil Kumar Singh and Bihar State Tourism Development Corporation Managing Director , Nand Kishore, representing the Tourism Department.

Tourism Minister  Raju Kumar Singh stated that this project will play a crucial role in boosting tourism in Patna, marking a major achievement in the field of urban transport.

It will provide citizens and tourists with a new, smart, safe, and sustainable travel experience through waterways.

Tourism Secretary  of Bihar, Lokesh Kumar Singh informed that under the Urban Water Metro Project, the service will operate from Digha Ghat to Kangan Ghat in Patna.

The Water Metro will travel from Digha Tourism Ghat to NIT Ghat, Gai Ghat, and finallyto Kangan Ghat.

A trial run from Patna will be conducted soon.

In the future, ten more locations will be identified to bring a revolutionary transformation to the city’s water tourism system, reducing pollution and travel time while promoting tourism and local development.

Patna is among 18 selected cities in India where an efficient and modern urban water transport system is being developed.