The National Technology Centre for Ports, Waterways and Coasts (NTCPWC) at IIT Madras has been entrusted with creating the facility’s structural layout, according to IWAI Director Arvind Kumar. By March 2026, a Detailed Project Report (DPR) is anticipated, and by August of the same year, building is projected to start.
The Patna dry dock will be the only such facility between Kolkata and Varanasi. It will be crucial for inspecting and repairing over 50 vessels—ranging from tug boats, dredgers, and survey launches to cargo and passenger ships—currently operating along National Waterways 1 and 2, which includes routes from the Brahmaputra and Bangladesh.
At present, IWAI and private vessels require transportation to Bengal for inspection and repairs, costing over Rs 40 lakh per trip. The upcoming dry dock will reduce this financial burden and improve turnaround times. It will also enable periodic fitness checks, mandated every four years, to be conducted locally at a lower cost.
The project is expected to generate both revenue and employment in the region. Kumar noted that ships operated by Bihar’s tourism department, along with those from private shipping companies, will benefit greatly. Once operational, the facility is poised to boost both cargo and passenger transport, supporting trade and tourism in the Ganga region.
