(a) the details of funds allocated and released by the Union Government to various States including Andhra Pradesh for development of inland waterways during each of the last three years and the current year, State-wise;
(b) the steps taken/being taken by the Government to develop inland waterways in Andhra Pradesh including the East and West Godavari districts having enormous potential for the purpose; and
(c) the time-frame set for completion of work on the said projects?
MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF SHIPPING
(SHRI PON. RADHAKRISHNAN)
(a) A Central Sector Scheme under the Ministry of Shipping is in operation for development of Inland Water Transport (IWT) in the North-Eastern States of India including Sikkim. Under this Scheme, proposals are submitted by the NE States and 100% grant is provided by the Union Government for the projects sanctioned. Other than this, there is no Scheme under which funds are transferred by the Union Government directly to the State Governments for development of IWT sector. Inland Waterways which are declared as the ‘National Waterways’ are being developed by the Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI), a statutory autonomous body of the Ministry of Shipping subject to feasibility and availability of resources.
The details of funds released to the States of the NE Region under the Central Sector Scheme since 2013-14 are given below :-
(Rs. in crore)
State Funds released under Central Sector Scheme for development
of IWT in NE States
2013-14 2014-15 2015-16 2016-17
Assam 1.2152 1.0666 Nil Nil
Manipur Nil Nil 1.20 Nil
Mizoram Nil Nil Nil 0.1145
Tripura Nil Nil 2.00 Nil
(b)&(c): To undertake development of National Waterway-4, a proposal has been mooted for setting up a Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) with the Government of Andhra Pradesh. The time schedule for completion of projects regarding development of NW-4 would be considered and decided by the SPV.
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