The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has issued notices to Ministries of Water Resources and Environment and others in connection with the proposed project of Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI), seeking permission to construct water taxi project on Yamuna.
The proposed National Waterway 110 will be used for shipping and navigation of water transport facility from Wazirabad to Fatehpur Jat in accordance with the IWAI Act.
While taking up a hearing on the “Maily se Nirmal Yamuna Revitalisation Project 2017”, the tribunal had earlier issued comprehensive directions on the demarcation of the flood plains of river Yamuna. While passing the directions, the Tribunal had also prohibited construction activity in the demarcated floodplain of Yamuna.
In the wake of this order, the applicant IWAI sought the permission of NGT for the development of an environment friendly and complimentary water transportation in the Delhi stretch of Yamuna.
In its plea, the IWAI said it has conducted pre-feasibility study through a reputed consultant for the integrated development of Yamuna to enable navigation and to develop water transport facilities in the Delhi region (Palla-Wazirabd-Okhla) which has revealed that water taxi, ferry options and recreation activities are the most feasible and environmentally sustainable for the said stretch.
Meanwhile, the proposal of the project involves development of five floating terminals/jetty like structures which would be anchored by cables. These jetties will be less than the 20,000 sq metre each structures.
As per the plea, these floating terminals may be deployed and withdrawn at will and the effect on the flood plain will be negligible. Approach roads at these five terminals, would be kuchcha roads and developed without any tarred or permanent material. IWAI proposes to provide e-rickshaws for ensuring the connectivity from the approach road to the terminal.
Further, spaces will be marked for parking and no parking spaces are planned in the vicinity of the floodplains. A waiting area with toilets will be constructed on makeshift basis using a steel shed supported by shafts. The plea added maintenance dredging will be undertaken from time to time to ensure assured depth of the river stretch of 16 kms for light moving vessels and also for the terminals to the main channels.