An investment of Rs 50,000 crore will be made to boost infrastructure along national waterways in the next five years. The investment proposals were announced during the Inland Waterways Development Council (IWDC) meeting at Kohora in Kaziranga.
"IWDC bats for major infra upgrade on National Waterways, to invest Rs 50,000 crore in five years," an official statement said.
IWDC was organised by the Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI), the nodal agency for the development of waterways under the Ministry of Ports, Shipping & Waterways (MoPSW).
A major policy initiative in the form of Riverine Community Development Scheme was mooted at the IWDC meeting to improve the socio-economic well-being of coastal communities by developing infrastructure.
Speaking at the event, Ports, Shipping and Waterways Minister Sarbananda Sonowal said 1,000 green vessels will be launched in the next five years to boost green shipping inland waterways. After the success of Kochi's Water Metro project, it will be expanded to 15 cities of the country, including Guwahati, he added.
The minister further said ship repair facilities will be established at more national waterways soon.
According to Sonowal, more than Rs 23,000 crore has been earmarked for New National Waterways Development and Green Shipping initiatives.
Indian Chamber of Commerce welcomes investment
Welcoming the decision, Indian Chamber of Commerce (ICC) said the move would cement the position of the inland waterways network and upgrade regional connectivity and trade.
"Launch of 21 new inland waterway projects indicates how dedicated the government is to modernising the country's waterway infrastructure. The launch of the National River Traffic and Navigation System is one of the major initiatives that ensures smooth, sustainable movement of vessels while always giving priority to safety and efficiency," ICC chairman (NER) Mahesh Kumar Saharia said.
