(a) whether the Government is considering to establish regional
offices of Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI) for the
eastern region at Bhubneshwar for better coordination on National
Waterways No. 5 and has allocated funds for implementation of the
said waterways:
(b) if so, the details thereof and the amount of funds allocated
for the same; and
(c) if not, the reasons therefor?
MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF SHIPPING (SHRI MUKUL ROY)
(a) to (c): The Geonkhali-Charbatia stretch of East Coast Canal along
with Talcher-Dhamra stretch of Brahmani-Kharsua-Dhamra river system,
Charbatia-Dhamra stretch of Matai river and Mangalgadi-Paradeep stretch
of Mahanadi delta rivers (total length of 588 km) were declared as
National Waterway-5 (NW-5) in November, 2008. However, no funds for
the development of this waterway have been allocated during 11th plan
period and the Planning Commission has suggested that the feasibility
of development of the commercially viable stretches of this waterway be
explored under Public Private Partnership (PPP) mode with Viability Gap
Funding (VGF).In a meeting with the stake holders river stretches of the
waterway (ie Brahmani-Kharsua-Dhamra river system, Matai river and Mahanadi
delta rivers) were identified as commercially more viable than the rest.
Thereafter a proposal was submitted to the Department of Economic Affairs
(DEA) for consideration under their scheme for India Infrastructure Project
Development Fund (IIPDF) and PPP Pilot Project Initiative under the ADB
Technical Assistance which is being actively pursued by IWAI with them.
Opening of an office of Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI) in
Odisha would be considered at a suitable location at the appropriate
time based on the likely time of commencement of the developmental
works in National Waterway-5.