New Delhi: Union 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 tomorrow. The Rs 155 Cr terminal is being constructed by the Inland Waterways Authority of India as part of the World Bank aided Jal Marg Vikas Project on river Ganga or the NW-I, that aims to augment the navigational capacity of the river. Shri Manoj Sinha, Minister of State for Communication (Independent Charge) and Railways and Shri Keshav Prasad Maurya, Deputy Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh will also be present on the occasion.
The intermodal terminal at Ghazipur will have linkage to both NW-I or River Ganga and NH-31 which is just 650 metres away. NH19 links Ghazipur in Uttar Pradesh with Patna in Bihar. The terminal will thus be very important for efficient movement of large and small cargo by providing the options for both land and water transportation or the option for intermodal switching. The terminal will have facilities like berths, storage areas and sheds, terminal building, communications systems and electrical substation. It will have a handling capacity of 12 lac tonnes per annum.
As part of IWAI’s efforts to promote environment friendly mode of transport, Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) bunkering facility is also being planned at Ghazipur terminal. IWAI plans to run LNG fuelled vessels on NW1. The terminal is expected to provide between 5000 direct and indirect jobs. The first phase of the terminal construction is expected to be completed by April, 2020.
The intermodal terminal at Ghazipur is one of the several sub projects under the Rs 5369 Crore Jal Marg Vikas project. The other sub 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. IWAI is building this infrastructure along Ganga or NW-I to make the river navigable for cargo vessels. The development of this waterway would result in an environment friendly, fuel efficient and cost-effective alternative mode of transportation, especially for bulk goods, hazardous goods and over dimensional cargo. NW-1 is an important constituent of the Eastern Transport Corridor of India, along with the proposed Eastern Dedicated Freight Corridor and National Highway -2. This corridor connects the National Capital Region (NCR) with the eastern and north-eastern states, and will also be an important link to Bangladesh, Myanmar, Thailand, Nepal and other east and south-east Asian countries through the Kolkata Port and Indo- Bangladesh Protocol Route. Jal Marg Vikas project could therefore turn River Ganga into an economic lifeline for the region.
Project Details of the Intermodal Terminal at Ghazipur: (Rs 155 Cr)
- Site Location: The site is located on River Ganga atDungapur village of District Ghazipurin Uttar Pradesh
- Road Connectivity: NH-19 is 650 m away from the Terminal Location. Road connectivity from highway to terminal is to be provided.
- Land Required: 8.917 Hectares. 2.6 Ha already acquired and registered.
- Cost of the Project: Rs. 155 Crore (including land acquisition cost).
- No of Berths: 2 of (125 x 25 m + 110 m x 25 m)
- Capacity of the Terminal: 12 lac tonnes per annum
- Expected Completion Date: April 2020
- Major Cargo: Natural Aggregates, Bagged & General Cargo
- Facilities: Berths and Approach Trestles, Storage Areas, Terminal building, Weigh bridge, Storm water Drainage, Sewage treatment plant, Underground reservoir, bore well, Communication system, Electrical sub station, High mast lighting, Parking
- LNG bunkering facility is also being considered at Ghazipur terminal.
- Benefits
- Project to help 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
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