Question : COMPREHENSIVE POLICY FOR DEVELOPMENT OF INLAND WATER TRANSPORT

(a) whether there is any comprehensive policy for development of inland water transport;

(b) if so, the details thereof; and

(c) the locations where inland water transport are to be started immediately?

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF SHIPPING( SHRI HUKUMDEO NARAYAN YADAV)
(a) & (b) : With a view to developing the Inland Water Transport, the policy measures taken include the enactment of the Inland Waterway Authority of India Act,1985 ( 82 of 1985), setting up of the Inland Waterways Authority of India so as to ensure development, maintenance and better utilisation of National Waterways and also to set up infrastructural facilities at National Waterways. The National Transport Policy Committee, 1980 has identified ten waterways as having potential for declaration as National Waterways. Three waterways have so far been declared as National waterways and are being developed for shipping and navigation purposes by IWAI. Techno-economic feasibility studies have also been carried out on the remaining seven waterways. Their declaration and subsequent development will depend upon availability of resources .
Government also extends financial support to State Governments on 50% sharing basis for implementing various projects under Centrally Sponsored Scheme for improving existing waterways through dredging, river training, shore marking and providing other infrastructural facilities and also augmenting IWT fleet by the State Governments Besides, action has also been initiated to evolve a 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.
(c) The inland water transport operations are to be carried out by IWT operators. Such operators viz. CIWTC, Directorate of IWT, Assam, Kerala Shipping and Inland Navigation Company and private operators have already been operating on three National Waterways and waterways in Goa and Mumbai.