In a bid to promote inland waterways, the Government will double the number of ports in the coming five years. The Ministry of Shipping is also working on building inland water transportation grid running upto 4,500 kms.
“Boosting the inland waterways is high on Government’s priority. The waterways grid would extend beyond the six national waterways, which have already been notified by the Government. In consultation with the various States and stake holders, we are in the process of preparing detailed projects reports,” a Ministry official said.
Minister of Shipping Nitin Gadkari too, had recently said that he wants to build a waterways network like the current highways. “They should be easy to access and available across our country,” he had said adding “The waterways, once developed, will be both an efficient and cheaper mode of transport. It will help reduce congestion on both road and rail and will bring down travel costs.”
His Ministry plans to increase the number of ports from the current 12 to 25. The notified waterways pass through several States including UP, Bihar, West Bengal, North East, Odisha, Kerala, Puducherry and Andhra Pradesh.
“We are currently planning on starting inland waterways of more than 600 kms connecting Andhra Pradesh and Puducherry for transportation of commercial goods at an estimated cost Rs2,400 crore,” the official maintained.
“The National Waterway 4 (NW-4) is being developed, which connects Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu and Puducherry,” he said. A consultative meet on inland waterway project will be held on Sunday at Vijayawada.
Ground work is underway on the Jal Marg Vikas project on Ganga River, which runs between Haldia and Allahabad. Other waterway stretches, which are being worked on are between Dhubri and Sadiya of Bhramaputra, stretches of Mahanadi and Baitarani river system in Odisha.
Inland Waterways Authority, Odisha Government and port authorities of Paradip and Dhamra have signed a Memorandum of Understanding for developing and maintaining viable stretches of NW-5 of about 332 kms in two phases.
In the first phase - Jakodia to Dhamara and Paradip port will be developed for shipping and navigation of cargo load upto 1,500 tonnes. The second phase will cover the stretch between Talcher and Jakodia of about 131 kms.
“The Government is open to good suggestions and if the State Government gives necessary permissions, then the Government will act accordingly,” said the official.