DEVELOPMENT OF WATERWAYS
The Minister of State
in the Ministry of Shipping, Shri Dilipkumar M. Gandhi said in
written reply to Shri Ramshakal in Lok Sabha today stated that
since the constitution of Inland Waterways Authority of India
in 1986, various developmental activities have been undertaken.
He further stated that three waterways viz. the Ganga (from Allahabad
to Haldia), the Brahmaputra (from Sadiya to Dhubri) and the West
Coast Canal (from Kollam to Kottapuram along with Champakara and
Udyogmandal canals) have been declared as National Waterways and
various infrastructural facilities such as fairways, navigational
aids, terminals etc. were provided thereon. The waterways other
than National Waterways were developed by the respective State
Governments for which assistance was provided by the Central Government
under Centrally Sponsored Scheme. He added that with a view to
accelerate development of Inland Water Transport (IWT) and involve
private sector participation an Inland Water Transport Policy
was approved by the Government.
