Senior officials of the Government of Odisha, including the Principal Secretary, Commerce and Transport Department, and the Commissioner-cum-Secretary, Department of Tourism, conducted an extensive inspection of ongoing and proposed jetty infrastructure projects across key inland waterways in the state.
The inspection covered jetty development works at Aradi and Chandbali on National Waterway-14 (NW-14), Jayanagar and Paramanandapur on National Waterway-5 (NW-5), and Gupti, which connects the ecologically significant Bhitarkanika National Park with NW-5. Senior officials from the Divisional Forest Office (DFO), Rajnagar, and the regional office of the Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI), Bhubaneswar, also participated in the inspection.
The developmental works are being undertaken under the State Support Agreement signed between the Government of Odisha and IWAI, aimed at strengthening inland waterway infrastructure, enhancing regional connectivity, and promoting tourism through sustainable water transport solutions.
The initiative is expected to improve passenger movement, support local economic activities, and unlock tourism potential in coastal and riverine regions, particularly around Bhitarkanika and adjoining areas.