In the next few years, you will be able to navigate your way from Delhi to Agra sailing down the Yamuna River. The Centre has sought help from the Netherlands Government for the ambitious project to build a waterway between the two cities. This will include erecting barrages and terminals along the river.
“People will soon be able to go to Agra from Delhi through the Yamuna. We are working on a Cabinet note to specify works for the project by our Ministry and the Delhi Government. We hope to float the note to the Cabinet within 10 days,” said Nitin Gadkari, Minister for Road Transport, Highways and Shipping.
“Our Ministry will request Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Finance Minister Arun Jaitley to ensure special funds for the project,” he said.Gadkari chaired a meeting with his officials to discuss the project on Wednesday.Soon after, he announced that the Netherlands Government has agreed to come out with a technical report for the project.This will include specifications regarding construction of barrages and two water-terminals at both ends of Yamuna.
“We have asked a Netherlands Government agency to prepare the project management report, including technical consultancy, for which they have agreed,” he said.
Gadkari said barrages would be constructed to ensure at least five metres water in Yamuna round-the-year to ensure passengers and goods transportation through the waterways.“We plan to have more barrages ahead of Wazirabad so that Delhi does not face water-crisis, and if need arises,we will talk with the Haryana Government to ensure there is no crisis,” said Gadkari.
“We have already given nod to seaplanes. We are allowing hovercrafts. We are constructing water-terminals at both the ends of Yamuna on the pattern of airports,” he said.
Gadkari said Delhi Development Authority has been asked to beautify the riverbanks while the Delhi Jal Board will prevent effluents from being released in Yamuna. Officials of the Ministry of Shipping in consultation with Delhi lieutenant Governor Najeeb Jung will work on the scheme, he said.
Gadkari said his Ministry has accorded highest priority to development of waterways in the country which has been “sadly” ignored so far with the country’s goods and passenger transport through the mode barely at 0.5 per cent of the total transport in comparison to China where the percentage was 20 per cent.