Varanasi: Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI) chairman Sushil Kumar Lohani on Friday reviewed the progress of ongoing and proposed development projects in Varanasi and nearby districts during a meeting at the divisional commissioner’s auditorium.The review covered the multi-modal terminal Port at Ramnagar, rail connectivity between the terminal and Jiwanathpur railway station, the proposed cruise terminal at Samne Ghat, the centre of excellence, multi-modal logistics Park and other key infrastructure work.Officials briefed the IWAI chairman on land acquisition, land transfer, verification of revenue records, inter-departmental coordination, infrastructure development and the status of pending work.Lohani directed officials to speed up project implementation and ensure time-bound resolution of pending issues through improved coordination among departments. He stressed the need to strengthen waterway-based transport in Varanasi and the Purvanchal region, while making multimodal connectivity more effective by integrating rail, road and water transport.The meeting focused on the timely and effective execution of the projects, which are expected to boost multimodal transport, logistics, water tourism and economic activities in the region.Divisional commissioner S Rajalingam, district magistrate Satyendra Kumar, IWAI member (technical), IWAI chief engineer, director of the regional office and senior administrative and departmental officials from Varanasi, Chandauli and Mirzapur attended the meeting. Chandauli district magistrate and NHAI Sasaram project director joined through video conferencing.
