A new chapter in India’s sustainable logistics movement unfolded as the cargo vessel MV Homi Bhabha began loading its consignment of Birla White wall putty at the Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI)’s Multi-Modal Terminal (MMT) in Ramnagar, Varanasi.
The operation underscores the growing significance of inland water transport (IWT) as a viable, eco-friendly, and efficient mode of cargo movement in India. The Ramnagar terminal, developed under the Jal Marg Vikas Project (JMVP) — an initiative by the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways — serves as a key node on National Waterway-1 (NW-1), connecting Varanasi to Haldia through the Ganga-Bhagirathi-Hooghly river system.
The loading of the Birla White putty consignment is not only a demonstration of the terminal’s growing operational capacity but also a reflection of industry confidence in IWT’s reliability. The consignment will be transported through an environmentally sustainable route, significantly reducing carbon emissions compared to traditional road or rail transport.
Officials from IWAI noted that the Ramnagar terminal has seen a steady rise in cargo handling activities, ranging from fertilizers and food grains to construction materials, highlighting the increasing acceptance of river transport among manufacturers and shippers.
The Jal Marg Vikas Project, implemented with technical and financial support from the World Bank, aims to enhance navigational capacity and cargo handling infrastructure along NW-1. Its core objectives include improving vessel movement efficiency, reducing logistics costs, and promoting multimodal connectivity through integration with road and rail networks.
With the loading of MV Homi Bhabha, the Ramnagar terminal once again demonstrates the success of India’s commitment to green logistics and sustainable infrastructure development. The initiative aligns with the government’s broader vision of shifting cargo movement from road to waterways — a move that promises to ease congestion, lower logistics costs, and advance the nation’s environmental goals.
Inland Waterways — The Way Forward
As India continues to strengthen its inland waterway infrastructure, terminals like Ramnagar are emerging as critical enablers of a modern, multimodal logistics ecosystem. The successful loading of the MV Homi Bhabha reaffirms that the nation’s rivers are not just lifelines of culture and history, but also pathways to a cleaner, more efficient future for Indian trade.
