(a) the time by which Calcutta -Allahabad National Waterway through Farakka is likely to be opened to passenger and goods traffic;
(b) whether the siltation problem at the mouth lock channel at Farakka has come to the notice of the concerned authorities; and
(c) if so, whether the Inland Waterways Authority of India and the Central Inland Waterways Transport Corporation are still entrusted with the job of dredging the channel; and
(d) if so, the details thereof ?
MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF SHIPPING (SHRI HUKUMDEO NARAYAN YADAV)
(a) The Haldia-Calcutta - Patna Stretch of NW-1 is open for navigation for passenger and goods traffic by vessels upto 1.8 m draft for about 330 days in a year. Action has been initiated to provide the waterway in Patna - Allahabad reach for vessels with 1.8 m draft for operation of 300-330 days in a year.
(b) (c) & (d) Dredging of lock channel was undertaken by Inland Waterways Authority of India. The Channel has already been dredged to the required depth of 2 meters.