Some more waterways will be taken up for development

Development work has started on 13 of the 26 national waterways that have been found feasible for cargo and passenger movement, Parliament was informed on Tuesday.

The Minister however did not specify the waterways where the work has been taken up. The Inland Waterways Authority has pumped in substantial funds for development of National waterways I in river Ganges and Waterways 2 in Brahamaputra. Shipping Ministry ensured that both the waterways including all the necessary infrastructure required for tranasportation were completed in the last eight years. No other water way was taken up for development during this period

Based on the outcome of techno-economic feasibility and detailed project reports of the National Waterways completed, action plan has been formulated for 26 National Waterways which have been found viable for cargo/passenger movement," ports, shipping and waterways minister Sarbananda Sonowal said in response to a question in Rajya Sabha. "

Development activities have been initiated in the first 13 NWs out of these 26 NWs," he added. 

 Civilian travel through inland waterways implies passenger transportation utilising inland vessels on any waterway, including National Waterways.