Ganga-Bhagirathi-Hooghly river system from Allahabad to Haldia (1620 kms) - declared as National Waterway in 1986.

Fairway Development: - To maintain LAD of 2 m between Haldia and Varanasi and 1.5 m between Varanasi and Allahabad, RC works i.e. bandalling and dredging were carried out between Tribeni and Allahabad (1424 Km.). The stretch between Haldia and Tribeni (196 km) is tidal and the LAD of more than 2 m is maintained naturally therein. During 2007-08, 1020 m of bandals were erected and maintained in Tribeni-Farakka (364 km), and 15000 m in Farakka-Allahabad (1060 km) stretches. In addition, 92,000 cubic meter of dredging was also done in Tribeni-Farakka stretch by deploying one Cutter Suction Dredger (CSD), which is owned by IWAI. LAD of 2.5 m was maintained between Haldia and Farakka (560 km) round the year. While LAD of 1.8 to 2 m for 330 days was maintained between Farakka and Patna (460 km) except at one location just upstream of Farakka lock where regular dredging is required in the post monsoon season due to excessive siltation in the Farakka barrage pond. 1.5 m LAD Between Patna and Varanasi (363 km) and 1.2 m between Varanasi-Allahabad was maintained for about 237 days. During 2007-08, an important project for construction and supply of two CSD units [a unit comprises one Cutter Suction Dredger (CSD), one Work Boat (WB) and one Accommodation Boat (AB)] was sanctioned by the Government at a cost of Rs 37.82 cr and work was also awarded to separate shipbuilders. The construction work was in progress. Construction of seven survey vessels was also completed during the year and the vessels were deployed on the waterway.

Terminals: - Construction of low-level jetty of fixed terminal (capable of handling containers) at Patna which was completed during last year was formally taken over by IWAI. For construction of high-level jetty of this terminal, CPWD completed the design and tendering process progressed. Based on tendered rates CPWD increased the cost from Rs. 13.73 cr to Rs 29.14 Cr due to which Revised Cost estimate (RCE) was prepared and submitted to the Department of Shipping (DoS) for sanction. Simultaneously, Government of Bihar was requested for acquiring 1 acre of land to be handed over to IWAI for this high level jetty. For permanent terminal at GR jetty, and floating terminal at Allahabad, IWAI had entrusted the work to CPWD on deposit basis and design/tendering etc was progressed by them. For construction of permanent terminal at Varanasi, M/s. MECON were requested to take up the construction work on turn key basis. For a permanent terminal at Haldia also, alternative sites were inspected and it was decided in principle that its construction and management may be taken up on PPP mode possibly under Project Development Organisation/Project Development Committee (PDO/PDC) mechanism, IWAI has with M/s. IL&FS - IDC. Floating terminals exist at Haldia, Kolkata, Rajmahal, Sahibganj, Manihari, Bhagalpur, Semaria, Patna, Ballia, Kaithy, Varanasi, Chunar and Allahabad. These terminals were maintained and used for transportation of cargo. For construction and supply of six terminal pontoons for upgrading floating pontoons at Haldia, Diamond harbour, Kolkata, Shantipur, Katwa and Farakka tendering was carried out which had to be repeated due to inadequate response.

Navigational Aids: - Channel marks for day navigation were erected and maintained between Tribeni and Allahabad round the year. Besides, fortnightly thalweg surveys were carried out, river notices issued and pilotage provided to the cargo vessels. Night navigation aids were also maintained between Tribeni and Farakka (364 km). For providing state of art 24 hrs navigation aids in the entire waterway, a Committee under the chairmanship of Director General Light Houses & Lightships (DGLL) had suggested a combination of lights mounted on buoys/country boats, trestle towers and DGPS stations. For this, tenders for DGPS instruments, trestle towers, buoys and lights etc were invited. Action to take over land for setting up of DGPS stations at Shantipur, Bhagalpur, Patna and Varanasi were initiated.