Question : Jal Marg Vikas Project

(a) the present status of implementation of Jal Marg Vikas Project along with the salient features and advantage thereof including potential for employment generation;
(b) the industrial, agrarian regions and cities likely to benefit as a result thereof along the entire route including West Bengal;
(c) whether a detailed project report has been prepared by the Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI) for the said project and if so, the details thereof;
(d) whether the project is to be operationalised under Public Private Partnership mode; and
(e) if so, the details thereof along with the assistance received from the World Bank?

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

(a) The Jal Marg Vikas Project envisages to achieve Least Available Depth (LAD) of 3.00 meters on the National Waterway-1 to enable movement of vessels of 1500 – 2000 DWT ton capacity on the 1620 km Allahabad- Haldia stretch of the National Waterway-1. The Project’s objective is to provide an environment friendly, fuel efficient and cost-effective alternative mode of transportation, especially for bulk goods, hazardous goods and over dimensional cargo. Three Consultancy firms are carrying out relevant studies on the National Waterway-1 as under:

(i) Detailed Feasibility Study and Detailed Engineering for its Ancillary Works;
(ii) Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (ESIA), Environmental Mitigation Plan (EMP) and Resettlement Action Plan (RAP); and

(iii) IWT Sector Development Strategy and Market Development Study.

(b) The exact socio-economic benefits of the project in the industrial and agrarian regions of West Bengal would be known after submission of the report of the Consultant for IWT Sector Development Strategy and Market Development Study.
(c) No, such report has been prepared.
(d) Does not arise.
(e) The details will be known after submission of the report of the Consultant for IWT Sector Development Strategy and Market Development Study. The Project is currently at the pre-appraisal stage for loan negotiation between the Government of India and the World Bank. An agreement has since been signed between the World Bank and the Department of Economic Affairs, Ministry of Finance, Government of India for a Project Preparatory Fund Advance of US Dollars 3.5 million for meeting the expenditure on the project during the pre-appraisal period. This Advance has become effective from 3rd June, 2015.
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