Lucknow, Nov. 5 -- The Uttar Pradesh government and the Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI) have signed five memoranda of understanding (MoUs) worth R 850 crore to promote inland water transport in the state with Varanasi as its central hub.

Signed during an event in Mumbai on October 28, the agreements aim to develop a modern and sustainable river transport network that integrates logistics, tourism, and green mobility along the Ganga and other major rivers of the state.

"All the five projects will be funded by the IWAI, while the state government will facilitate land and other clearances," said transport commissioner Kinjal Singh, adding that the initiatives would help unlock Varanasi's potential as a major river transport and ...