West Bengal Inland Waterways Transport, Logistics and Spatial Development Project - Environmental and Social Management Framework (ESMF)

Jul 19, 2026

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Environmental and Social Management Framework (ESMF) sets out policies, procedures, and guidelines to assess and manage environmental and social impacts for investments in inland waterways transport in West Bengal. The project aims to strengthen cross-sector institutional capacity for strategic spatial planning and logistics, and to improve passenger and freight movement efficiency and safety along the Hooghly River through targeted ferry system upgrades. It covers analytical studies, procurement of vessels and related infrastructure, and works at selected jetties, including pontoons, gangways, and turnstile gates.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryResearch & Report

FormatPDF

Pages17

Reading Time43 min

AccessFree to download

Executive Summary

Introduction and context

Objectives of ESMF and contents

Project Development Objectives (PDO)

Project Description and supported activities

Component A: Strengthening Institutional Capacity

Subcomponents A.1 and A.2: capacity enhancement and safety management

Executive Summary Environmental and Social Management Framework (ESMF) Introduction The Kolkata, waterways have been in operation for centuries as a mode of transport between Kolkata ⇌ Howrah (East & West sides of Hooghly River) sides. The congestion in the city is contributing to large inefficiencies in passenger and freight flow in the Kolkata Metropolitan Area (KMA, which is the regional gateway to freight flow in Eastern India), restricting market access as well as port access for export-import traffic. The inefficient flow of freight is adversely affecting economic competitiveness and sustainable growth in the region. The Hooghly River, a defining feature of KMA, currently acts more as a barrier to access than an enabler. Due to the strategic location of Kolkata, and the unique situation of the port in the center of the city, the severity of the mobility issues in KMA calls for a rethink of urban mobility for both cargo and citizens. These sectoral issues are compounded by institutional and spatial development challenges. Institutional arrangements for urban transport are highly fragmented and sometimes overlapping. The proposed project is for an improvement of the waterways sector in all respects. Objectives of ESMF and its contents For all investments, the ESMF will set out the policies, procedures and guidelines that will be followed to assess and manage Environmental and Social (E & S) issues. This framework is a requirement of the World Bank and is necessary to ensure that the Environmental and Social (E & S) impacts are addressed and properly managed. The project implementation includes analytical studies (preparation of plans, strategies and assessments), procurement of goods (such as vessels, pontoons and gangways) and execution of works (waterside and landside investments in selected jetties) . Of these, there will be impacts in the manufacture of goods and in the execution of works. Therefore, during implementation, these potential E & S impacts will need to be managed. Project Development Objectives (PDO) The project development objectives (PDO) are to: (a) strengthen cross sectoral institutional capacity-institutional capacity for strategic spatial planning, logistics and urban mobility; and (b) Improve efficiency and safety of passenger and freight movement along the Hooghly River by targeted upgrades of the ferry system. Project Description In the above context, the West Bengal Transport Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited (an undertaking of the Government of WB) with the help of loan assistance from World Bank is planning to improve the waterways system for optimized usage for the overall development of the Kolkata Metropolitan Area in particular and the development of country and the state in general. This project is titled as “West Bengal Inland Waterways Transport, Logistics and Spatial Development Project.” Subcomponent activities that will be supported as a part of the first year investments cover 30% of the overall project budget. The activities include: (1) Improving the capacity of selected jetties by adding pontoons and gangways; (2) Implementing minor waterside construction works to install 30 gangways and pontoons; (3) Adding 22 new vessels with enhanced designs to existing fleet; and (4) Installing 40 turnstile gates in selected jetties. The following are the four components and their respective subcomponents: Component A: Strengthening Institutional Capacity (USD20 million) This component will support institutional capacity enhancements for the GoWB’s Departments of Transport and Urban Development. This component is intended to provide West Bengal Transport Department with the required assistance to: (i) assess, identify and develop the scope for sector planning, regulatory and institutional reforms review of governance structures, business and financial planning, safety management and capacity enhancement for key agencies operating within the West Benga

FAQs

What is the purpose of the ESMF in this project?

The ESMF provides policies, procedures, and guidelines to assess and manage environmental and social issues throughout project implementation, as required by the World Bank.

What outcomes does the project pursue under the Project Development Objectives (PDO)?

The PDO focuses on strengthening cross-sector institutional capacity for spatial planning, logistics, and urban mobility, and improving the efficiency and safety of passenger and freight movement along the Hooghly River through ferry system upgrades.

Which types of activities and investments does the project support in the first year?

First-year investments include improving selected jetties with pontoons and gangways, minor waterside construction for installing gangways and pontoons, adding new vessels to the fleet, and installing turnstile gates in selected jetties.

Jul 19, 2026

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