MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF SHIPPING (SHRI MILIND DEORA)
(a) The quantity of cargo transported during the last three years through inland waterways
(including waterways other than National Waterways) where origin and destination both lie
within India is given below:
Year - Cargo moved (in million tonnes) (in Billion Tonne km)
2010- 11 - 72.80 3.633
2011- 12 - 68.76 3.494
2012- 13 - 22.01# 1.114
# The decrease in cargo movement is primarily due to the ban of iron ore mining in Goa.
(b)&(c): Development and regulation of only those waterways which are declared as National
Waterways (NWs) come under the purview of Union Government. Government has so far declared
five waterways as National Waterways. The Bill for declaration of Lakhipur – Bhanga stretch
of River Barak (121 km) in Assam as 6th National Waterway is in the Parliament for its
consideration. To increase the use of National waterways, Inland Waterways Authority of
India (IWAI) has undertaken various measures which include providing inland water
transportation infrastructure namely navigational channel, navigation aids and terminals
in NW-1, 2 & 3. IWAI has also undertaken a study on Integrated National Transportation
Waterways Grid, through M/s RITES, for providing road and rail connectivity at potential
terminals.
(d)&(e):Government has allowed inland water limits to be extended upto the base line as
notified by the Ministry of External Affairs. This coupled with recent relaxation given
in the construction and operation of River-Sea-Vessels by Directorate General of Shipping (DG Shipping) will facilitate coastal shipping in the country.
