Pending clearances, incomplete infra keep ‘Water Metro’ off the Ganga

Patna: Bihar’s ambitious electric river vessel project, branded as the ‘Water Metro’, continues to remain non-operational nearly eight months after the vessel arrived in Patna as mandatory clearances and supporting infrastructure are yet to be fully completed.The partnership between the Bihar tourism department and the Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI) was formalised on Sept 20, 2025, in Bhavnagar, Gujarat. Just a week later, on Sept 27, the vessel, named ‘MV Gomadharkonwar’, reached Patna. It is currently stationed near the Gaighat jetty under round-the-clock security cover.Officials said the delay is primarily due to pending formalities, including permits and no objection certificates from the competent authorities.Nand Kishor, managing director of the Bihar State Tourism Development Corporation (BSTDC), said the IWAI team would oversee the handover process, registration with the transport department and completion of regulatory requirements, including the necessary NOC.“This includes a security audit to be conducted from Kolkata team. Once these formalities are completed, BSTDC will prepare its operational plan,” the managing director said.He added that BSTDC’s role is limited to operating and managing the service, while IWAI remains responsible for technical trials, permits, certification and all related clearances.Built by Hooghly Cochin Shipyard Limited near Kolkata at an estimated cost of Rs 12 crore, the 42-metre-long vessel can accommodate 50 seated passengers and 25 standing passengers. It is equipped with four air-conditioning units, panoramic glass windows, CCTV cameras, LCD display screens and a public announcement system, besides meeting prescribed safety standards.The vessel is expected to operate between Kangan Ghat and Digha Ghat over a 10.5-km stretch, with stoppages at Gai Ghat and Gandhi Ghat.Powered by two batteries, the vessel can be fully charged in around 30 minutes and operate for nearly 90 minutes on a single charge. While technical trials on the Ganga have been completed successfully and a charging point has been installed at Gaighat floating jetty, infrastructure work at several other locations is still underway. The service is expected to begin once all approvals are secured.