(a) whether the Sagar Mala project which would bring about major changes to
improve the maritime industry has been implemented.
(b) if so, the details in this regard and if not, the reasons therefor; and
(c) the steps taken by the Government to develop one of most important area of
the said project i.e making inland water transport a viable alternative to the
heavily burdened rail and road transport?
MINISTER OF SHIPPING (SHRI G.K VASAN)
(a)&(b): The Sagar Mala Programme is not in existence and in lieu National
Maritime Development Programme (NMDP) was taken up by the Ministry of Shipping.
Under NMDP, 82 projects have been implemented for development of Major Ports in
the country costing around Rs. 8238.68 Crores as on March 2013. The Government has
also formulated a Perspective Plan for Development of the Maritime Sector, namely
“The Maritime Agenda 2010-2020â€. In the year 2012-13, 32 new projects have been
awarded with an estimated investment of about Rs. 6765.63 crores.
(c) Development and regulation of those waterways which are declared as National
Waterways (NWs) comes under the purview of Union Government. The responsibility of the
development of other waterways rests with the respective State Government. So far,
five waterways have been declared as National Waterways (NWs). Inland Waterways
Authority of India (IWAI) was established in 1986 for systematic development of
National Waterways. IWAI undertakes navigation channel development and maintenance
works namely hydrographic surveys, dredging, bandalling and providing aids for day
and night navigation on National Waterways.