Status of National Waterways in India

  • Budget: According to the Ministry of Shipping, the Central Government has got a budget allocation of Rs. 228.00 crore for the development of Inland waterways transport, which also includes Rs. 126.00 crore for North Eastern Region, for the year 2017-18.
  • The proposal for raising Extra Budgetary Resources (EBRs) of Rs. 1,000 crore through bonds was approved by Ministry of Finance in 2016-17. Out of Rs 1000 crore, Rs. 340.00 crore was raised during 2016-17. Remaining amount of Rs 660.00 crore has been raised in the Financial Year 2017-18.
  • 111 National Waterways: Out of 111 National Waterways declared by the Government through the National Waterways Act, 2016, National Waterway-1 (Ganga-Bhagirathi-Hooghly river system from Allahabad to Haldia), National Waterway-2 (River Brahmaputra from Dhubri to Sadiya) & National Waterway-3 (West Coast Canal from Kottapuram to Kollam along with Udyogmandal and Champakara Canals) are already operational.
  • In addition, in National Waterway-4 (Kakinada- Puducherry canals along with Godavari to Krishna rivers) fairway development works in Vijayawada – Muktyala stretch of river Krishna have commenced under the Phase-I. Work for installation of floating terminals at four locations has commenced.
  • A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) has been signed between Inland Waterway Authority of India (IWAI), Govt. of Odisha, Paradip Port Trust and Dhamra Port Company Ltd. for the development of NW-5 (East Coast Canal integrated with Brahmani river and Mahanadi delta rivers).
  • As per the feasibility reports completed so far, 36 new NWs have been found technically viable. Out of these 36 NWs, developmental activities have been initiated on 8 most viable NWs in 2017-18.



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