IWAI-World Bank undertake fairway development work on NW-1
Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI) has identified 25 new NWs through techno-economic feasibility studies for undertaking technical interventions to make the waterways navigable for transportation purpose, Minister for Ports, Shipping and Waterways, Sarbananda Sonowal said in a written reply to the Lok Sabha on 17 Mar 2023.
Once ready, these new waterways will provide an alternate mode of transportation in respective geographies, he added.
Further, Rs.746 crore projects supported by the World Bank under JMVP-II (Arth Ganga) has been initiated on an approach based on the principles of the sustainable development model to energize economic activities which will impact on overall over all ecosystem along the riverbank.
This can lead to inclusive growth and play a key role in improving the livelihoods of the populations with the transportation of goods and passengers (including tourist) through National Waterways No. 1, he said.
IWAI with technical and financial assistance from World Bank is also undertaking fairway development works to ensure Least Available Depth (LAD) of 3.0 meter in Haldia-Barh, 2.5 meter in Barh-Ghazipur and2.2 meter in Ghazipur-Varanasi stretches on NW-1 are progressing under the Jal Marg Vikas Project (JMVP).
Similarly, to improve the connectivity between NW-1 and NW-2/NW-16 via the Indo Bangladesh protocol route, the critical and shallow stretches between Sirajganj and Daikhowa on protocol route No.1 & 2 and Ashuganj and Zakiganj on protocol rote no 3 & 4 in Bangladesh are being jointly developed by India and Bangladesh for round the year navigability (with targeted LAD of 2.5 mtrs).
Similarly, fairway development works are being carried out on NW-97 in Sunderbans to allow smooth navigation of vessels on the Indo-Bangladesh Protocol Route, said the Minister.
Inland Water Transport (IWT) is the most economical mode of transportation, especially for bulk cargo like coal, iron ore, cement, food grains and fertilizer. Presently, it remains under-utilized at a share of 2% in India’s modal mix. The Government intends to increase the share of IWT to 5% as per Maritime India Vision (MIV)-2030 from the current 2%. fiinews.com
