Question : INLAND WATERWAYS

(a) whether the Government is considering to develop 14,500 km of inland waterways including declaration of the whole stretch of River Brahmaputra in Assam as National Waterway;

(b) if so, the details thereof;

(c) whether India`s tleei strength is just one percent of global fleet;

(d) if so, the reaction of the Government in this regard;

(e) whether the Government is also considering to develop small ports, ware housing facilities and container freight infrastructure as well as inter modal connectivity;and

(f) if so, the details thereof?

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF SHIPPING (SHRI MIUND DEORA)

(a)&(b): Development and regulation of only those waterways which are declared as National Waterways (NWs) come under the purview of Union Government. The responsibility of development of other waterways rests with the respective State Govt. Dhubri - Sadiya stretch of River Brahmaputra (891 km) in Assam has already been declared as a NW in September, 1988.

(c) As per Indian National Shipowners` Association (TNSA) Annual review 2012-2013, India`s merchant fleet as on 01` January- 2013, constitutes 1% of the global merchant fleet.

(d) The Government has been taking various steps from time to time for the growth of Indian tonnage. The important amongst them are as under:

(i) The Government has introduced the tonnage tax system during 2004-2005 which has effectively brought down ihe tax liability of shipping companies.

(ii) Indian Coastal Trade is reserved for Indian flag vessels.

(iii) Indian Shipping industry has been provided cargo support in form of right of first refusal and policy of Free On Board (FOB) for government owned/ controlled cargoes.

(e)&(f)`Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI) has already undertaken Integrated National Transportation Waterways Grid Study through the consultant M/s RITES. As per this, 31 priority terminals have been identified for potential development with inter modal connectivity in National Waterways.