Being a state with a great network of rivers and expansive water bodies, West Bengal boasts of one of the longest navigable waterway networks in the country, with approximately 4,593 kilometers of rivers and canals, of which 97 per cent are navigable. This rich network of waterways ~ anchored by rivers like the Ganges, and their tributaries including Damodar, Bhagirathi,and Hooghly ~ has historically played a pivotal role in trade, connectivity, and regional development.

As we move forward, our inland waterway ecosystem is not only helping us strengthen West Bengal’s economy, but is also contributing significantly to India’s sustainable development goals. In recent times, major strides have been made in the public and private sector in transforming the inland water scenario in the state. West Bengal’s waterways present an immense opportunity for economic and environmental progress. Be it strengthening and intensifying regional connectivity, promoting transformative solutions driving sustainable growth in the sector, encouraging tourism or opening avenues for livelihoods, inland waterways in West Bengal are increasingly becoming one of the major drivers of regional economic growth.

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West Bengal’s strategic location places it at the gateway to the Northeast, Bhutan, Nepal, and Bangladesh, making it a vital hub for sub-regional trade. Our waterways, such as National Waterway-1 and the Indo-Bang – ladesh Protocol Route, facilitate seamless cargo movement from Kolkata to the Northeast and beyond. Projects like the Kaladan Multimodal Transit Transport Project are unlocking alternative trade routes to Southeast Asia. Such projects are not just logistical breakthroughs, but also a testament to how inland waterways can bridge geographies, create new trade corridors and change lives. Inland waterways, as we know, are one of the most environmentally-sustainable modes of transport. They emit 25 to 60 per cent less CO2 per tonne kilometre than road or rail.

Initiatives aimed at encouraging electric ferry services and cargo vessels harmonize the priorities of economic growth with the imperatives of environment protection. The fact that the cost of transporting cargo via waterways is significantly lower makes it an economically-commercially-viable alternative for businesses. For instance, transporting one tonne of cargo over one kilometre costs Rs 1.36 via water, compared to Rs 2.50 by rail and Rs 3.50 by road. This is why there is a push across the country to leverage these advantages. Recently, scheduled services of cargo vessels were started from Kolkata to Patna, Varanasi and Pandu in Assam.

Beyond cargo and passenger movement, our waterways provide huge opportunities for tourism. West Bengal’s rich history, as visible from the magnificent monuments lining its riparian coasts, has always attracted tourists from across the world. The Sundarbans, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, holds immense potential for eco-tourism and cultural tourism. Leveraging inland waterways for tourism can create jobs, foster local entrepreneurship and promote West Bengal’s vibrant cultural heritage. It is this allure of experiencing history on mystic Ganges that agencies like Antara Cruises, Eastern Navigation, Vivada and many more have been capitalizing on, thereby also creating huge multiplier effects in the process, not to speak of creating thousands of jobs for the people in the state.

West Bengal’s river tourism circuits, like the Rama krishnaSarada-Vivekananda circuit, Sundarbans and routes along the Hooghly River, offer enormous potential for investors in cruise tourism and hospitality. Private cruise operators are already leveraging these advantages, and the sector is ready for a quantum growth. It is not without reason that world’s longest river cruise ‘Ganga Vilaas’ is operated from Kolkata with many more such ventures being on the cards. The State Government, during the latest edition of Bengal Global Business Summit, received a proposal for a private sector investment of Rs 800 crore from Antara Cruises for further deepening and promoting cruise tourism in the state. A conservative estimation suggests an expec ted investment (both private and public) of over Rs 3,000 crore in inland waterways which is already underway.

West Bengal offers a robust foundation by way of its strong infrastructure to strengthen the inland waterways ecosystem. The state has built and renovated 231 jetties across the state. The upcoming Tajpur deep-sea port and Kolkata’s inland port terminals are key infrastructural assets that could catalyze trade and logistics in West Bengal. The state is already visualizing ways to equip them with modern facilities such as passenger terminals, drinking water, public conveniences, CCTV surveillance, smart gate and ticketing systems, a strong search and rescue architecture, safety and security of passengers and cargo, conception of a refuelling jetty, Roll-on Roll Off services and urban upgradation around the jetties. The West Bengal Transport Department has been collaborating with different institutions to develop skill upgradation programmes and modules in maritime engineering, logistics, and sustainability.

The state is also investing in IT modernization to enhance vessel management, navigation safety, and customer engagement. The details of training and capacity building of the human resources through reputed institutions like National Inland Navigation Institute, Jadavpur University, IIEST, Shib pur and IIT, Kharagpur are also being worked out. To ensure greener and more efficient transport, West Bengal has already placed orders with Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers for procuring more hybrid-electric vessels under its West Bengal In – land Water Transport Logistics and Spatial Development Project (WBIWTLSDP). The state’s passenger vessel fleet, as operated by the West Bengal Transport Corporation, now includes advanced Ro-Ro vessels and fully electric ferries like “DHEU,” a first-of-its kind zero-emission vessel that has set a new standard for sustainable inland water transport. West Bengal has its eyes set on multi-modal integration of different modes of transportation, linking waterways to railways, highways and airways.

This holistic approach is a cinch to not only help reduce congestion on roads, but also improve last-mile connectivity, boosting regional trade and tourism. Better coordination among all the stakeholders including policy makers and private entrepreneurs could bring in cascading benefits for the state’s economy. As we envision a future shaped by efficient, sustainable inland waterways, there is a need to build wide-ranging partnerships for better outcomes, leveraging the comparative commercial advantages of the inland waterway sector. It is here that different stakeholders including entrepreneurs need to come forward to collaborate on investable projects, including the development of smart jetties, Ro-Ro services, and battery operated electric ferry systems. The West Bengal Maritime Board Act and the West Bengal Logistics Policy, 2023 have created an investor-friendly framework, providing fiscal incentives, land banks and single window clearance mechanisms. The single-window clearance for investment proposals through the ‘Shilpa Saathi’ portal makes investment in the state even more attractive.

However, the challenge lies in leveraging these strategic advantages that might drive sustainable growth in developing an inland waterway ecosystem in the state. The future of West Bengal’s inland waterways is bright and transformative. By investing in this sector, one not only unlocks the humongous business opportunities in the sector, but also contributes to a greener and more sustainable tomorrow. With right policy mixes and suitable interventions, West Bengal also has the potential to become the logistics and connectivity hub in South and Southeast Asia. This will not only enhance the quality of life for millions through better connectivity, reduced emissions, and new economic opportunities, but also build an inland waterway ecosystem that is not only efficient and sustainable, but also inclusive and forward-looking

(The writer, an IAS officer, is Secretary, Department of Transport, West Bengal. The views expressed here are personal and do not reflect those of the Government)