Union Minister for Ports, Shipping and Waterways Sarbananda Sonowal today said a special task force will be constituted to boost the inland waterways transport along National Waterways Number -One and facilitate cargo vessel, river cruise and passenger ferrying facility. Mr. Sonowal was addressing the first-ever talks and consultation workshop on National Waterways in Patna comprising stakeholder states like Bihar, Jharkhand, Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal. He said the task force will be constituted within a month.

Mr. Sonowal said to promote passenger facilities along Ganga River Water Metro will be started. Mr. Sonowal added that Patna will be developed as a river cruise hub and the number of vessels repairing facilities will be increased. Besides representatives of Bihar, Jharkhand, Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal Union Minister Giriraj Singh, Deputy Chief Minister and cargo business and cruise business representatives attended the workshop.