India Announces Projects Status of Inland Waterways
The Shipping Ministry of India has announced the details of various ongoing major projects for development of National Waterways (NWs), which are as under four divisions.
The government also revealed the techno–economic feasibility studies and Detailed Project Report (DPR) for the 106 new National Waterways.
Since inception of Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI), projects worth Rs. 1871.567 crore ($275 million) for development of National Waterways (NWs) have been implemented till March, 2016.
Details of major four projects: -
National Waterway – 1 (NW-1): Construction of Phase-I (A) of the multimodal Inland Water Transport (IWT) terminal at Varanasi at a cost of Rs.169.60 cr. Construction of Phase-I of the multimodal IWT terminal at Sahibganj at a cost of Rs.292.10 cr. Construction of a new navigational lock at Farakka at a cost of Rs 359 cr.
River Conservancy Works at Haldia: Comprising of fairway development, navigational aids and O&M of terminals River Information Systems, RIS stations, O&M of Differential Global Positioning System (DGPS) and removal of hard strata in the Ghazipur-Varanasi stretch costing Rs.33.87 cr. Mechmarine works at a total cost of Rs. 56.7 cr.
National Waterway -2 (NW-2)
River Conservancy works comprising of fairway development, navigational aids, O & M of floating terminals, construction of slipway and bank protection (channelization) at a cost of Rs 81.1369 cr.
National Waterway -4 (NW-4)
Fairway development in the Vijayawada to Muktyala stretch at a cost of Rs. 42.57 cr.
National Waterway -5 (NW-5)
Dredging between Erada and Padanipal stretch, EIA /EMP Studies and construction of floating terminal facilities at a cost of Rs. 47.85 cr
106 New NWs
Techno–economic feasibility studies and Detailed Project Report (DPR) for the 106 new National Waterways at a cost of Rs. 25.32 cr.
The major sub-projects under the Jal Marg Vikas project (NW–I: River Ganga) are being implemented after the approval by the competent authority. These include construction of multi-modal terminals, jetties, RIS, channel marking, navigational lock, river training and conservancy works etc.
After declaration of 106 new NWs under the National Waterways Act, 2016, the process for preparation of two-stage DPR study (Stage I: Preparation of Feasibility report and StageII: Preparation of Detailed Project Report for the waterways found feasible) has been initiated.
As per feasibility reports completed so far for the 106 new NWs, it has been decided to undertake development of 32 NWs in the next three years.
The Government has approved raising of Rs 1000 crore as Extra Budgetary Resources (EBRs) by the IWAI in Financial Year 2016-17 for the development of inland waterways and shipping infrastructure
This information was given by the Minister of State for Shipping Pon. Radhakrishnan in the Parliament.
