The Jal Marg Vikas (National Waterway-1) project, which envisages developing a 1,620-km fairway between Allahabad and Haldia, has taken off with a $3.5 million funding from the World Bank.
“The Jal Marg Vikas Project on River Ganga has now taken off with the World Bank extending a project preparation fund (PPF) of $3.5 million ... as advance, which is part of its financial assistance for the project,” Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI) has said.
Its spokesperson said three consultancy firms of international repute have been engaged and have commenced work to conduct studies.
Finance Minister Arun Jaitley in the budget had announced the project, which is estimated to cost ₹4,200 crore and is expected to be completed in six years.
The project will enable commercial navigation of 2,000-tonne vessels. The Centre has designated the IWAI as the implementing agency for the project, an IWAI spokesperson said.