Patna advances Ganges ship repair hub

Patna authorities are progressing a plan to build a dedicated ship repair centre on the banks of the Ganges. The INR 3 billion project, about EUR 33 million, is under initial development on diara land east of the Digha–Sonepur Bridge and will support marine traffic on National Waterway1 (NW-1).
State and central agencies have begun site preparation and fencing on an area of around two hectares. Civil works include land levelling and dredging to deepen navigation channels for year-round operations. The Inland Waterways Authority of India has identified the lack of repair infrastructure along NW-1 as a constraint that forces vessels to travel to Kolkata or Varanasi for maintenance, increasing downtime and cost.
A senior inland waterways planner said: “The facility is not just a repair yard – it’s part of a broader effort to make the Ganges a viable economic artery.”
Analysts expect the hub to reduce turnaround times, support cargo and passenger operators and generate local employment. Long-term success will depend on sustained dredging, channel management and environmental safeguards to address seasonal flows and silt dynamics.