Rajya Sabha
Government has introduced a Bill in the Lok Sabha on 8th December 2006 to declare Kakinada-Pondicherry stretch of canals consisting of Kakinada canal, Eluru canal, Commamur canal, Buckingham canal and Kaluvelly tank alongwith Bhadrachalam – Rajahmundry stretch of River Godavari and Wazirabad – Vijayawada stretch of River Krishna (1095km) as a National Waterway. The Bill stands referred to the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Transport, Tourism and Culture for examination. The total estimated cost of development of proposed National Waterway is Rs. 542 crore (at 2002 prices) and a time period of approximately 5 years is needed to complete the projects after declaration of the waterway as a National Waterway.
Government of Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu have conveyed their acceptance to the participation in the project and are interacting with Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI) on various issues related to the proposed development of this waterway.
According to the techno economic studies for National Waterway No. 1 & 2, the waterways are economically viable if developed with adequate infrastructure. Some infrastructure has already been put in place and more projects for putting up the infrastructure are in progress.
This information was given by the Minister of Shipping, Road Transport and Highways, Shri T.R. Baalu in a written reply in the Rajya Sabha today.
VBA/BS
(Release ID :25953)