(a) the total inland waterways network declared as National Waterways in the country:
(b) whether the infrastructure facilities at these waterways are adequate
enough to make them a viable option;
(c) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor; and
(d) the steps taken by the Government to improve the infrastructure available on these waterways?
MINISTER OF THE STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF SHIPPING (SHRI G.K. VASAN)
(a) to (d): A Statement is laid on the Table of the House.
STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PARTS (a) TO (d) OF LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. 115
FOR ANSWER ON 8TH AUGUST, 2011 RAISED BY SHRIMATI ASHWAMEDH DEVI REGARDING INFRASTRUCTURE
FACILITIES AT WATERWAYS.
(a): The following five waterways have so far been declared as National Waterways (NWs):
(i) National Waterways-1: Allahabad- Haldia stretch of the Ganga-Bhagirathi-Hooghly river (1620 km) declared in 1986.
(ii) National Waterways-2: Sadiya-Dhubri stretch of the Brahmaputra river (891 km) declared in 1988.
(iii) National Waterways-3: Kollam-Kottapuram stretch of the West Coast Canal and Champakkara and Udyogmandal Canals (205 km) declared in 1993.
(iv) National Waterway-4: Kakinada-Puducherry stretch of canals and Kaluvelly tank, Bhadrachalam-Rajahmundry stretch of river Godavari and Wazirabad-Vijayawada stretch of river Krishna (1078 km) declared in 2008.
(v) National Waterway-5: Talcher-Dhamra stretch of Brahmani river, Geonkhali-Charbatia stretch of East Coast canal, Charbatia-Dhamra stretch of Matai river and Mahanadi delta rivers (588 km) declared in 2008.