Patna Water Metro Expansion: Patna is preparing for a major expansion of its Water Metro network on the Ganga River. The Bihar government has planned an investment of around Rs 1,200 crore to improve river travel and make it easier for people to reach different parts of the city. The work is expected to take place in three phases and the full project is targeted for completion by 2029.
Two major terminals are also planned at Kangan Ghat and Pahalwan Ghat. These will have modern facilities for passengers and space for boats and cruise vessels to stop. The expansion is expected to support local transport as well as tourism along the Ganga.
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Three-Phase Plan and New Terminals at Two Ghats
The expansion plan is being taken up by the Union Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways. Arvind Kumar, Director of the Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI) in Patna, said the Bihar government will decide which routes will be added and where the service will operate.
The two new terminals will be built on land given to IWAI by the state government. Each location has been allotted two acres of land. Around Rs 200 crore is expected to be spent on building both terminals. The target is to complete the work before 2029.
The Kangan Ghat terminal will have a connection to a floating platform in the Ganga through a walkway under JP Ganga Path. The platform will be around 150 metres long and can hold up to four vessels at a time. A fuel facility will also be developed there. Pahalwan Ghat will have an elevated terminal building and a ramp leading to the floating platform. Work to strengthen the riverbank is also part of the plan.
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Water Metro Route, Travel Time and Passenger Capacity
The Water Metro service was officially launched by Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary on November 10, 2026. The service currently connects Digha Ghat with Gandhi Ghat. The government plans to extend it to Kangan Ghat in the future. It will also give people another travel option to avoid traffic on Ashok Rajpath.
An official said, “The service is also expected to provide commuters with an alternate route to the congested Ashok Rajpath,”
During an earlier journey, the vessel took around 30 minutes to travel from Digha to NIT Patna. The return trip took nearly 50 minutes because of the river current. Charging facilities have been installed at the ghats to support the hybrid vessel. It can use electric power as well as a diesel engine. IWAI officials said one full charge was enough for the onward and return journey during the trial. The passenger capacity details reported for the vessel include:
- 50 passengers in seated capacity.
- 25 passengers in standing capacity.
- Total capacity: 75 passengers.
The service will follow a fixed schedule set by the Bihar State Tourism Development Corporation. The newly launched service also has air conditioning, toilets, a public announcement system and wheelchair access.
Bihar Water Metro Project
| Project Details | Information |
|---|---|
| Estimated expansion cost | Rs 1,200 crore |
| Implementation | Three phases |
| Proposed terminals | Kangan Ghat and Pahalwan Ghat |
| Terminal construction cost | Around Rs 200 crore |
| Initial route | Digha to NIT Patna |
| Journey time | 30 minutes (Digha to NIT Patna) |
| Passenger capacity | 75 passengers |
| Target completion | 2029 |
The expansion is expected to make better use of the Ganga for passenger travel and tourism. The new terminals will also support cruise vessels and may create jobs in transport, tourism and hospitality.
