(a) whether India has invited Dutch participation in the development of Inland Waterways.
(b) if so, the details in this regard; and
(c) the efforts made to accord high priority to the inland waterways with a view to provide cheap transport so as to reduce pressure on the rail and road transport?
MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF SURFACE TRANSPORT
(DR. DEBENDRA PRADHAN)
(a) & (b) Under the Indo-Dutch Cooperation programme the following important projects have been implemented on National Waterway No.1, the river Ganga:-
i) Pilot Project on IWT development in Patna-Allahabad stretch which was implemented between 1987 and 1989.
ii) Priority economic study.
iii) Technical assistance Pilot Project between Patna and Haldia.
(c) The Government has accorded high priority for development of inland waterways of the country. The outlay approved in 9th Plan for inland water transport sector is Rs.408 Crores, which is a substantial increase over the earlier plans. Efforts are in hand to implement the various schemes for development of IWT. Action has also been initiated to evolve a comprehensive proposal containing fiscal incentives and policy guidelines to attract private sector investment for the development of this sector.
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