The cargo movement through all operational national waterways in the country jumped from 108.79 million metric tonnes (MMT) in FY21 to 125.15 MMT in FY23, the government data showed. Union Minister of Shipping and Waterways Sarbanand Sonowal told the parliament. In a bid to promote inland waterway projects in the country, 111 National Waterways including 5 existing and 106 new spread over 24 states have been declared vide National Waterways Act, 2016 with effect from April 2016. “Feasibility Studies of new NWs have been completed and subsequent Detailed Project Reports (DPRs) also completed on selected NWs on the basis of FSs,” Sonowal said.
He also added that the action plan has been formulated for development of 26 most viable NWs based upon the outcome of study reports and development taken up in 20 NWs. “A total fund of Rs. 6639.27 Crore allocated for capacity augmentation of existing and new waterways development and jetties to improve the navigation facilities in the country,” Sonowal told the parliament on Friday.
According to the data, the cargo movement through NW-9 (Alappuzha-Kottayam Athirampuzha Canal) stood at 17,093 metric tonnes (MT), traffic movement through NW-31 (Dhansiri/Chathe) stood at 521 MT, the cargo movement through NW-8 (Alappuzha-Changanassery Canal) stood at 33,689 22 MT, traffic movement through Odisha NW-14 (Baitarani River) stood at 1,329 23.