भारतीय अंतर्देशीय जलमार्ग प्राधिकरण
4.2 Cargo Movements:
Cargo movement on National Waterway-1 has witnessed significant growth in last decade. A growth of 152.75% in cargo movement has been achieved in 2023-24 (12.76 MMT) from 2014-15 (5.05 MMT). A robust growth at a CAGR of 10.85% has been witnessed in traffic movement on NW-1.
The major commodities transported through NW-1 includes fly ash, construction material, coal, food grains, general cargo, etc. IWAI has also started scheduled services on NW-1 from Varanasi to Kolkata.
4.3 Development of Tourism:
The potential for river cruise tourism in India specially on NW-1 is substantial. River cruise sector is attracting tourists seeking a unique blend of history, spirituality, and natural beauty. Infrastructure improvements, marketing initiatives and sustainable practices are key factors in unlocking full potential of river cruise tourism in India. The following inland cruise operators are plying cruise/ tourist vessels on NW-1:
- Nordic cruise line (4 vessel – Plying in and around Varanasi)
- The Assam Bengal Navigation Co (2 cruise vessels - ABN Rajmahal and ABN sukapa between Kolkata -Farakka-Patna-Ghazipur- Varanasi-Sarnath-Chunar-Raj ghat)
- Heritage River Journeys Pvt. Ltd (3 cruise vessels – MV Ganga Vilas, MV Ganges, MV Ganges Voyager –II & R.V. Bengal Ganga between Kolkata-Maitiari-Murshidabad-Chandernagore-Kolkata)
- Vivada Inland Waterways (5 vessels - MV Millenium, MV Paramhamsa, MV Matsakanya, MV The Auspicious & MV Jaladuta between Sunderban-Ganga sagar- Kolkata- Farakka-Bhagalpur-Mungher - Semaria)
The movements of these tourist vessels with foreign tourists are continued. 10 River cruise movements successfully completed since March 2019 Between India and Bangladesh using NW-1. World longest river cruise- MV Ganga Vilas was launched on 13th January 2023 by the Hon’ble Prime Minister Luxury cruise covered distance of more than 3200 kilometre across 27 river systems in 5 states in India and Bangladesh. This cruise vessel was indigenously built.