(a) whether the Government is taking steps to execute the National Waterway No. 5 Project of Odisha;
(b) if so, the details thereof;
(c) whether the Government has any proposal to establish the regional office for Eastern Region at Bhubaneswar for better coordination of National Waterway No. 5; and
(d) if so, the details thereof?
MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF SHIPPING (SHRI PON. RADHAKRISHNAN)
(a)&(b):Yes, Madam. A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Government of Odisha, Paradip Port and Dhamra Port Co. Ltd. was signed by the Inland Water- ways Authority of India (IWAI) on 30th June, 2014 for developing the commercially viable stretch of 332 km of NW-5 (588 km) in two phases.
The MOU incorporates the development of 201 km stretch of Pankopal/ Jakodia to Paradip and Dhamra in phase - I and an 131 km stretch between Talcher and Pankopal/ Jakodia in the phase - II. M/s WAPCOS Ltd. has been engaged to revise the Detailed Project Report (DPR) for the stretches in question.
(c)&(d):Yes, Madam. An office has been opened in Bhubaneswar for the development of National Water- way No.5, in March, 2015 which will do coordination with all the stakeholders, including the State Government.