Varanasi: The temple town Varanasi, which is being represented by the Prime Minister Narendra Modi for the second consecutive term in Lok Sabha, is eagerly waiting for the implementation of his dream project – the ‘Freight Village’, the country’s first one of its kind.
The Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI) had proposed to develop the “freight village” in Varanasi. The objective of the project is to support economic development in the hinterland of the multimodal terminal at Varanasi and reduce logistics cost in the Eastern Transport Corridor and its influence zone.
It envisages establishment of multimodal logistics hub in Varanasi to promote the use of waterway transport on river Ganga (NW-1) between Haldia and Varanasi and of rail transport on Eastern Dedicated Freight Corridor (EDFC) in the North bound direction which facilitates movement of freight from road to water and rail.
As per present estimates, jobs at 3600 direct work places and additional jobs at indirect work places, with new and specialist logistic skills, are expected to be generated in and around Varanasi.
The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) approved the implementation of the Jal Marg Vikas Project (JMVP) on 03.01.2018 at an estimated cost of Rs. 5369 crore with technical and financial assistance of the World Bank.
The objective of JMVP is to improve navigability of National Waterway-I (NW-1) for plying of vessels of up to 2000 Dead Weight Tonnage (DWT). The major activities under the project are construction of multi-modal terminals, jetties, river information system, channel marking, navigational lock, river training and conservancy works. It is scheduled to be completed by March, 2023.The Loan Agreement and Project Agreement relating to IBRD loan of USD 375 million were signed on 02.02.2018. and these have become effective from 23.3. 2018.
The status of implementation of different components of JMVP:
(a) Fairway Development
The work has commenced for providing least assured depth on the stretch between Farakka and Kahalgaon (146 kms). Similarly, for the Sultanganj-Mahendrapur stretch (74 Kms) and Mahendrapur–Barh stretch (71 Kms) is in progress.
(b) Multi-modal Terminal, Varanasi
The multimodal terminal built at a cost of Rs 206 crore with a current capacity of 1.26 MTPA was inaugurated by the Prime Minister on 12.11.2018. It is the first multimodal terminal on river Ganga which is expected to generate 500 direct employment and 2000 indirect employment opportunities.
(c) Multi-modal Terminal, Sahibganj
The construction of the terminal was awarded at a cost of Rs. 280.90 crore.
(d) Multi-modal Terminal, Haldia
Work for construction of the Terminal at a cost of Rs. 517.36 crore was awarded on 30.06.2017.
(e) New Navigational Lock, Farakka
The work was awarded on 24.11.2016 at a cost of Rs. 359.19 crore.
Freight Village and Logistic Hub at Varanasi
To improve logistics efficiency, cargo aggregation, warehousing facilities and multimodal transportation, the Freight Village and Logistic Hub is proposed at Varanasi to be set up in continuation of the multi-modal terminal as part of the JMVP. The proposal for undertaking the pre-investment activities relating to setting up of the Project at an estimated cost of Rs.165 crore was appraised by the Delegated Investment Board (DIB) and approved by the Competent Authority.
