March 20, 2002

    Inland vessels are already plying in the existing national waterways from Kolkata to Guwahati, Kolkata to Allahabad and Kochi. Government have recently approved an inland vessel building subsidy scheme aimed at increasing the inland vessels operation in national waterways.

    There are 15 jettis to facilitate cargo and passenger movement in three National Waterways. The proposal for setting up permanent terminals at Gaighat, Patna has been approved by the Government. Similar approval for setting up of permanent terminal at Pandu, Guwahati is in state of finalization. Work is also under progress for construction of 11 terminals in National Waterway No.3.

    This information was given in the Lok Sabha today by Shri Shripad Y. Naik, Minister of State for Shipping in a written reply to a question by Shri Probodh Panda.