Question : Development of New Waterways

(a) the details/ features of Inland Water Transport Policy and the total length of navigable waterways in the country, State/ UT-wise;

(b) the measures taken by the Government for the development of new waterways and upgrading of vessel and cargo handling technologies to modernise the total Inland Water transport system;
(c) whether the Government has framed any policy guidelines defining the scope and terms of private sector participation in inland water transport system in the country and if so, the details thereof;
(d) whether the work on waterways is yet to start inspite of Government’s announcements and if so, the reasons therfor; and
(e) if not, the status of the progress regarding the construction of waterways in the country State/ UT-wise?

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF SHIPPING
(SHRI PON. RADHAKRISHNAN)

(a): The Government is committed to develop Inland Water Transport as a cost effective, environment friendly and fuel efficient mode of transport, especially for bulk goods and over dimensional cargo, wherever it is techno-economically feasible. As per National Transport Policy Committee Report prepared in May-1980, total length of India’s navigable inland waterways was approximately 14,500 km comprising of river system, canals, back waterways, creeks, tidal inlets etc.
(b): To develop new inland waterways for shipping and navigation, a proposal for declaration of 106 new waterways as ‘National Waterways’ has been incorporated in the National Waterways Bill, 2015 which is under consideration of the Parliament.
(c): No specific policy guidelines for private sector participation in inland water transport system have been framed, so far. However, private sector participation in barge operation and dredging is being encouraged.
(d)&(e):After declaration of the proposed waterways as ‘National Waterways’, Detailed Project Reports will be prepared for development of infrastructure on waterways which are found techno-economically feasible for navigation, type of cargo handling facilities for optimum size and type of cargo vessels.

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