In a significant step towards strengthening inland waterways infrastructure in India, Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI) has signed an Engineering, Procurement and Construction (EPC) agreement with Larsen & Toubro for the development of ship repair facilities at Patna and Varanasi on National Waterway-1.
The project marks a major milestone in enhancing maintenance infrastructure along the Ganga waterway. The foundation stone for the facilities was laid by Narendra Modi in September 2025 as part of the government’s efforts to strengthen multimodal logistics and inland water transport.
Once commissioned, the ship repair hubs will provide critical maintenance, repair and servicing support for inland vessels operating on National Waterway-1. The facilities are expected to improve vessel turnaround times, enhance operational efficiency, reduce maintenance-related downtime, and support the increasing movement of cargo and passengers on the country’s busiest inland waterway corridor.
The development is also expected to boost regional maritime services, create employment opportunities, and further promote the use of inland waterways as a cost-effective and sustainable mode of transportation.