(a) whether Inland Water Transport Authority of India has not enough cargo for ferrying ;
(b) if so, the details thereof alongwith its ferrying capacity etc,; and
(c) the steps being taken to arrange bulk cargo for ferry and make more use of waterways?
MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF SHIPPING (SHRI HUKUMDEO NARAYAN YADAV)
(a) & (b) The Inland Waterways Authority of India was set up for the development and regulation of inland waterways for the purposes of Shipping and navigation and for matters connected therewith or incidental thereto. Inland Waterways Authority of India is not directly connected with the ferrying of cargo. Cargo is ferried by other inland water transport operators such as Central Inland Water Transport Corporation Ltd., Directorate of Inland Water Transport Assam, Kerala Shipping and Inland Navigation company and private operators. The details of cargo moved in three National Waterways , Goa and Mumbai during 1999-2000 are as follows :
NW-1 The Ganga 7,13,670 Tonnes NW-2 The Brahmaputra 21,837 Tonnes NW-3 The West Coast Canal 11,12,183 Tonnes Goa 1,48,67,691 Tonnes Mumbai (Dharmtar) 21,85,119 Tonnes(c) Action has also been initiated to evolve policy framework and strategy for development of inland water transport. Inter-alia the policy framework envisages facilitating private participation in areas such as ownership and operation of inland water transport fleet, construction and operation of river terminals, mechanised cargo handling system, joint venture participation etc.