(a) the names of those waterways which are being considered to be opened for public by the Government;
(b) the action plan formulated by the Government to link Assam and North Eastern States through waterways; and
(c) whether these schemes are being completed as per the fixed timeframe and if not, the reasons therefor?
(a) To promote Inland Water Transport in the country 111 waterways (including 5 existing and 106 new) have been declared as National Waterways (NWs) under the National Waterways Act, 2016 which came into effect from 12th April, 2016. Based on the outcome of techno-economic feasibility and Detailed Project Reports (DPRs) of NWs, 25 NWs have been found viable by Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI) for cargo/ passenger movement. The list of the 25 NWs is at Annex-I. Developmental activities have been initiated in 13 NWs.
(b) & (c) Yes, Sir. With special emphasis on North Eastern States, IWAI has undertaken comprehensive development of NW-2 (Brahmaputra River) and NW-16 (Barak River) and Indo Bangladesh Protocol Route at the cost of Rs. 461 crore and 145 crore respectively to establish critical connectivity along with infrastructure development in the North East Region which would boost economic development and trade in the region by connecting hinterland. Details is at Annex-II.
In addition, Ministry of Ports, Shipping & Waterways has a Central Sector Scheme (CSS) for development of inland water transport infrastructure in the North Eastern States under which 100% grants is provided to North Eastern States. Details of projects sanctioned under CSS is at Annex-III.
Annex.-1
LIST OF 25 NATIONAL WATERWAYS FOUND FEASIBLE FOR CARGO MOVEMENT
Sl. No. National Waterway No. Details of Waterways STATES Status
1 National Waterway 1 Ganga-Bhagirathi-Hooghly River System (Haldia - Allahabad) Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand & West Bengal Development taken up with Assistance from World Bank Jal Marg Vikas Project
2 National Waterway 2 Brahmaputra River (Dhubri - Sadiya) Assam Development taken up as per approved SFC for FY 20-21 to 2024-25
3 National Waterway 16 Barak River Assam
4 National Waterway 3 West Coast Canal (Kottapuram - Kollam), Champakara and Udyogmandal Canals Kerala Mostly Operational Waterways and development and maintenance work taken up.
5 National Waterway 4 Krishna River (Vijayawada – Muktyala) Andhra Pradesh
6 National Waterway 5 Dhamra-Paradio via Mangalagadi to Pankopal Odisha
7 National Waterway 8 Alappuzha- Changanassery Canal Kerala
8 National Waterway 9 Alappuzha-Kottayam – Athirampuzha Canal Kerala
Alternate route: 11.5km
9 National Waterway 27 Cumberjua River Goa
10 National Waterway 68 Mandovi River Goa
11 National Waterway 86 Rupnarayan River West Bengal
12 National Waterway 97 Sunderbans Waterway West Bengal
13 National Waterway 111 Zuari River Goa
14 National Waterway 10 Amba River Maharashtra Projects at appraisal stage.
15 National Waterway 40 Ghagra River Bihar
16 National Waterway 44 Ichamati River West Bengal
17 National Waterway 52 Kali River Karnataka
18 National Waterway 57 Kopili River Assam
19 National Waterway 25 Chapora River Goa
20 National Waterway 37 Gandak River Bihar
21 National Waterway 28 Dabhol Creek Vasisti River Maharashtra Substantial cargo moves in tidal waters/river mouth under respective State maritime board. No interventions are contemplated by IWAI as of now.
22 National Waterway 73 Narmada River Maharashtra & Gujarat
23 National Waterway 85 Revadanda Creek - Kundalika River System Maharashtra
24 National Waterway 94 Sone River Bihar
25 National Waterway 100 Tapi River Maharashtra & Gujarat
Sl.
No. State Name of Project Project Cost
(? in Cr.)
1
Assam Construction of 15 Nos. (17.0m long) floating terminals at 15 Ghats on NW-2 (Assam)
6.07
Construction of 15 Nos. of (17.0m long) floating terminals at 15 Ghats on NW-16 (Assam)
6.37
Construction of 25 Nos. (17.0m long) floating terminals at 25 Ghats on NW-2 (Assam)
10.97
Construction of 16 Nos. (25.0 m long) floating terminals at 16 Ghats on NW-2 (Assam)
13.70
2
Manipur
Loktak Inland Water Transport Project-II on Loktak Lake (Manipur) 7.88
Loktak Inland Waterways Improvement Project for Loktak Lake (Manipur)
25.58
3 Mizoram Preparation of DPR for Tuichawang / Karnaphuli River (Mizoram)
0.57
4 Tripura Setting up of linkage with Meghna river system in Bangladesh by developing Gumti River (Tripura) 12.58