How Patna Water Metro can transform the city's geographical constraints into its greatest asset

Indian Express

2 days ago

Union Minister for Ports, Shipping and Waterways Sarbananda Sonowal recently announced that Patna will soon get water metro services, transforming the city into a hub for inland water transport on the Ganga.
Earlier this year, the Inland Waterways Authority of India had initiated a detailed feasibility study for the project, and asked Kochi Metro Rail Limited (KMRL) — which runs a successful water metro service — to assess its potential along the Ganga and its tributaries.
Patna's roads are perennially crowded. Major arteries like Gandhi Setu, Phulwarisharif, Bypass Road, and Danapur frequently witness gridlocks, affecting everyone from office goers to school children. The problem is compounded by the movement of heavy vehicles, especially sand-laden trucks, which have been permitted entry on certain routes.
According to police data, there is a significant mismatch between the number of vehicles on the roads and the city's capacity to handle them. While mining associations reportedly release around 1,000 trucks daily, Patna's infrastructure can efficiently accommodate only about a quarter of that number. This persistent overload results in daily traffic crises, with breakdowns on critical infrastructure like Gandhi Setu causing hours-long jams.
Beyond congestion, Patna's linear layout and riverine boundaries limit the scope for road expansion. The city is hemmed in by the Ganga to the north, the Sone near Hajipur to the west and the Punpun to the south. This unique geography, while constraining road growth, offers an under-utilised resource in the form of its rivers.
Philanthropist Khurshid Ahmad, founder of Advantage Services, claims that the concept of a water-based metro for Patna was first publicly discussed at his 'Advantage Dialogue: Opinion That Matters – Main Hoon Bihar' event last September, where architect Vishnu Choudhary suggested harnessing Patna's rivers for mass transit 'on the lines of Venice and Kerela' and to turn the city's geographical constraints into its greatest asset.
What is the Water Metro model?
A water metro is a modern, scheduled passenger ferry system using electric or hybrid vessels, operating much like a metro rail, except on water. The concept was first realised in India with the Kochi Water Metro, launched in 2023, which now connects 10 islands with the mainland via electric boats operating from multiple terminals. The Kochi system, implemented by KMRL with German funding support, has already served over 40 lakh passengers.
Patna's proposed water metro draws directly from this model. Instead of connecting islands, Patna's system will primarily serve the city's east-west axis along the Ganga, with potential for cross-river routes to Hajipur and Sonepur.
What is the status of the Patna project?
The IWAI has tasked KMRL with conducting a comprehensive feasibility study for Patna. In April-May, KMRL teams visited key sites including NIT Ghat, Gai Ghat, Digha Ghat, Kaunhara Ghat (Hajipur), and Sonepur, surveying river conditions during the dry season. A second round of surveys is scheduled during the monsoon (June–September), when the Ganga's water levels and sedimentation patterns change dramatically.
The study covers hydrographic analysis (river depth, sedimentation, seasonal variations), as well as demand estimation through commuter surveys, origin-destination mapping, and integration with city plans. The Bihar government has nominated a senior official as nodal officer to coordinate with KMRL to identify optimal routes, estimate ridership, and model costs and revenues for a viable, sustainable system.
The timeline for implementation will be clearer once the feasibility assessment is complete, with the project expected to follow a phased rollout prioritising high-demand routes and integration with existing and upcoming transport systems.
What are the main challenges?
Seasonal Sedimentation and Water Level Fluctuations: The Ganga's depth and flow vary widely between dry and monsoon seasons, affecting both navigation and terminal design.
Infrastructural Gaps: Existing ferry services are informal and lack modern amenities. The water metro will require new, covered terminals, safe docking, ticketing systems, maintenance facilities, and charging infrastructure for electric boats.
Unorganised Ferry Operations: Current river transport is largely unregulated, with dozens of small ferries lacking standard safety protocols.
Regulatory and Administrative Complexity: Multiple agencies and departments will need to coordinate, requiring clear frameworks for safety, operations and revenue sharing.
What are the expected benefits?
If implemented effectively, the Patna Water Metro could deliver multiple advantages:
Decongestion: By offering a direct, traffic-free alternative along the river, the water metro could ease pressure on Patna's busiest roads, especially for commuters living along the riverbanks from Koilwar to Bakhtiyarpur.
Environmental Gains: Electric and hybrid ferries emit far less pollution than cars or trucks. Inland water transport can reduce greenhouse gas emissions by up to six times per tonne-km compared to road transport, helping Patna address its other major problem of air quality.
Improved Connectivity: Plans include 16 new community jetties and two modern terminals, with hybrid catamaran vessels and a local vessel repair facility, enhancing both passenger and cargo movement.
Cost-Effective Travel: Water transit can move large numbers of passengers or cargo at lower per-person costs, making it an affordable alternative for daily commuters.
Economic Growth: The project is expected to generate jobs in construction, boat-building, operations, and tourism. Riverfront development around jetties could spur new markets, restaurants, and public spaces, while scenic ferry rides may boost tourism.
How will it fit with other transport projects?
The water metro is designed to complement Patna's upcoming rail metro, whose first phase is set to open on August 15. The city's new Blue Line will connect Patna Junction with the Inter-State Bus Terminal, and water metro terminals are expected to be planned near major transport hubs, residential areas, and markets to ensure seamless last-mile connectivity.
How does this align with national plans?
Patna's water metro is part of a broader national push to develop urban water transport. The city sits on National Waterway-1 (NW-1), a 1,390-km stretch of the Ganga from Varanasi to Haldia. The Jal Marg Vikas Project (JMVP), a Rs 5,061 crore initiative led by the Ministry of Ports and Shipping, with completion expected by December, has built terminals and dredged channels along NW-1, providing vital infrastructure for further exploration to Patna's Water Metro.
What are the potential long-term impacts?
A successful water metro could catalyse broader urban renewal along Patna's riverfront, as well as help develop Hajipur as its sister city, by sparking redevelopment, tourism infrastructure, and commercial growth. Socially, it promises affordable, accessible transport for all, including the elderly and disabled, while connecting riverside communities and creating new employment opportunities.