111 inland waterways in the country have been declared as National Waterways. Each inland waterway varies in terms of discharge, sedimentation, river morphology etc. and these parameters influence the type and size of the vessels and the nature of the infrastructure required for them to ply on the waterway.  Usually, a Techno Economic Feasibility Study (TEFs) is conducted for determining the technical viability of the inland waterway and only thereafter depending on the TEFs, a Detailed Project Report (DPR) is commissioned which, inter-alia, lists out the type of infrastructure required for development of waterway.

           Out of the 111 inland waterways declared as National Waterways (NWs), the following three NWs are substantially operational with targeted depth, 24 hours navigational aids and a combination of fixed and floating terminals at strategic locations with mechanized cargo handling facilities and vessels carrying cargo are plying on them:-

(i)    Ganga-Bhagirathi-Hooghly river system (Allahabad-Haldia-1620 km) in Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand and West Bengal as NW-1, declared in 1986.

(ii)      River Brahmaputra (Dhubri-Sadiya- 891 km) in Assam as NW-2, declared in 1988.

(iii)   West Coast Canal (Kottapuram-Kollam) along with Udyogmandal and Champakara Canals- (205 km) in Kerala as NW-3, declared in 1993.

            On NW-4, a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) has been entered into between Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI) and Government of Andhra Pradesh to develop the Kakinada- Puducherry canal system along with Krishna and Godavari rivers in Andhra Pradesh.  Various studies, including delineation studies, have also been undertaken.  The stretch between Vijayawada and Muktyala (87 km.) is being developed by undertaking dredging activities. This will help to move the cement required for construction of new capital of Andhra Pradesh at Amravati.

            NW-5, with a total length of 588 km., consists of river, delta & East Coast canal.  The development of river stretch of 333 km. consisting of Brahmani, Kharsuan & Delta River Systems of Mahanadi & Brahmani River has been taken up initially in two phases. The stretch of 203 km. (between Pankopal to Dhamra & Paradip port) is being developed in the first phase.   Fairway development is in progress including dredging, and setting up of terminal facilities at Pankopal,  Paradip and Dhamra.  The stretch of 130 km. between Talcher to Pankopal will be developed in the second phase.

            The State-wise details of the amount spent by Government to construct such infrastructure are as follows:

This information was given by Minister of State for Shipping, Shri Pon. Radhakrishnan in a written reply to a question in the Rajya Sabha today. 

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UM/NP