The Central government has drawn up an action plan for development of National Waterway from Dhamra to Paradip in Odisha.
The Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways, in a press release on Friday, said 111 National Waterways (NWs) including 5 existing and 106 new to ensure movement through inland waterways. These NWs are spread over 24 states.
An action plan has been formulated for development of 26 most viable NWs and development for shipping and navigation taken up first on 20 NWs in various states including NW 5 in Odisha.
The National Waterway from Dharma to Paradip via Mangalagadi to Pankapal has a length of 233 km.
Thalweg survey for monitoring the waterway on monthly basis is being conducted by Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI) from Pankapal to Dhamra via Mangalgadi upto Paradip on a stretch of 212 KM for identification of least available depth in the navigation channel under phase I, the release stated.
The Detailed Project Report (DPR) for construction of weirs and barrages and modification of bridges was undertaken by IWAI for NW 5. The work for raising of high-tension line was entrusted to Odisha government for providing safe navigation clearance for passage of IWT vessels.
The IWAI is also engaged in development and operationalisation of the NW on public private partnership mode. The option of forming a Special Purpose Vehicle for movement of coal is also being explored.
The transportation of gypsum from IFFCO plant to Paradip Port Authority started on IWT mode through NW-5 and NW-64 from April 26, 2022. So far, total 8,06,053 tonne of gypsum and 19,99,362 tonne of other commodities have been moved through NW-5, NW-64 and NW-23 in Odisha.