DECLARATION OF BRAHMAPUTRA RIVER AS NATIONAL WATERWAYS
After the declaration of Dhubri-Sadiya stretch
of river Brahmaputra as National Waterway No.2, annual schemes
of river conservancy works including bandalling, channel marking
etc. have been executed on year to year basis, with a view to
maintaining navigable channel. Pilotage service for IWT vessels
have also been provided. For undertaking dredging work, one hydraulic
surface dredger has been constructed.
The total amount spend on river Brahmaputra by
Inland Waterways Authority of India during the 9th
Plan is Rs.25.66 crore. Year-wise expenditure made is as given
below :
|
Year
|
(Rs. In Crore)
|
|
1997-99
|
2.59
|
|
1998-99
|
5.83
|
|
1999-2000
|
3.22
|
|
2000-2001
|
5.26
|
|
2001-2002
|
8.76 (provisional)
|
|
Total
|
25.66
|
The total quantum of goods carried by the Government
Sector on river Brahmaputra during the 9th Plan (1997
& 2002) was of the order of approximately 1.50 lakh tonnes.
Tiver Brarak is not a national waterway. However,
Techno Economic Feasibility study for development of Karimganj-Lakhipur
sector of river Barak has been conducted. The declaration of this
stretch of river Barak and subsequent development will depend
on availability of resources. The river Barak is already connected
with Haldia Port through Bangladesh waterways for which inland
water transit and trade protocol between India and Bangladesh
exists.
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
A.F.Golam Osmani.
