Lok Sabha Question No. 1500 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-02-10
Subject: Increase Intensity of Inland Waterways
Ministry: PORTS, SHIPPING AND WATERWAYS
Asked by: Brijbhushan Sharan Singh, Sangamlal Kadedin Gupta

## GOVERNMENT  OF INDIA MINISTRY OF PORTS, SHIPPING AND WATERWAYS

## LOK SABHA

UNSTARRED  QUESTION  NO. 1 5OO ANSWERED ON 10.02.2023

## INCREASE INTENSITY  OF INLAND WATERWAYS

- 15OO SHRI BRIJBHUSHAN SHARAN SINGH: SHRI SANGAM LAL GUPTA:

will the Minister of PoRTS, SHIPPING AND WATERWAYS be pleased to state: qil{, qtd qfw6-{  eilt  qcm+  t-*

- (a) whether the Government  has noticed that increase in intensity of inland waterways  is likely to lead to environmental hazards;
- (b) if so, the details thereof  along with such routes identified in the country for mitigation,
- (c) whether the Governmeni  is planning  to include inland watenvays  in the project lists which requires  environmental clearances;
- (d) if so, the details thereof along with the tentative  timeline  fixed therefor;
- (e) whether  the Government is cognizant of the fact that not including  inland waterways  project  in the list of proiects for environmental  clearance would have long term impact on the environment, and
- (0 if so, the details  thereof along with the corrective  steps taken by the Government in this regard?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF PORTS, SHIPPING AND WATERWAYS (SHRI SARBANANDA  SONOWAL)

- (a) lncrease in intensity  of inland waterways  is likely to reduce environmental pollution/hazards  since lnland Water Transport  (lWT) is cost-effective as well as environment-friendly  mode of transpoft.  The Socio-economic  and environmental benefits of IWT Mode are detailed  at Annexure-1
- (b) Does not arise.
- (c)&(d)  As the deveropment  of rnrand water Transport is benefrciar  to environment, there is no proposar  to incrude inrand waterways  in the project  rists which requires environmental  clearances.
- (e) Development  of IWT has least carbon footprint on environment in comparison  to existing mode of Road & Rair rransport and wourd  not have rong term impact on the environment.
- (f) Does not arise.

## Annexure-1

## The Socio-economic and environmental benefits  of IWT Mode:

## 1. cost and relatively  lesser fuel consum

| Factors                | Rates Considered   | Rates Considered   | Rates Considered   | Source                                            |
|------------------------|--------------------|--------------------|--------------------|---------------------------------------------------|
| considered             | Waterways          | Road               | Rail               |                                                   |
| Energy Consumption     | 0.0048 Litre/TKm   | 0 0313 Litre/TKm   | 0.0089 Litre/TKm   | th 11 Plan Working Group Report on Shipping & IWT |
| Vehicle Operating Cost | 0.843 Rs./TKm      | 1.170 Rs./TKm      | 1.009 Rs./TKm      | Planning Commission : TTS Study                   |

## 2. Less  pollutinq  mode of transportation

| Factors considered       | Rates Considered (Rs./TKm)   | Rates Considered (Rs./TKm)   | Rates Considered (Rs./TKm)   | Source                                                               |
|--------------------------|------------------------------|------------------------------|------------------------------|----------------------------------------------------------------------|
| Factors considered       | Waterways                    | Road                         | Rail                         | Source                                                               |
| Air Pollution            | 0.03                         | 0.202                        | 0 0366                       | Planning Commission : TTS Study                                      |
| Noise Pollution          | Negligible                   | 0.0032                       | 0.0012                       | Permanent lnternational Association of Navigation Congresses (PIANC) |
| Soil and Water Pollution | Negligible                   | 0.005                        | Negligible                   | PIANC                                                                |

## 3. Relativelv safer mode of tra

| Factor considered   | Rates Considered (Rs/TKm)   | Rates Considered (Rs/TKm)   | Rates Considered (Rs/TKm)   | Source                         |
|---------------------|-----------------------------|-----------------------------|-----------------------------|--------------------------------|
| Factor considered   | Waterways                   | Road                        | Rail                        | Source                         |
| Accidents           | Negligible                  | 0.0620                      | 0.0010                      | Planning Commission: TTS Study |

## 4. Lesser requiremrent of land relative to other modes of trans

| Factor considered   | Rates Considered (Rs/TKm)   | Rates Considered (Rs/TKm)   | Rates Considered (Rs/TKm)   | Source   |
|---------------------|-----------------------------|-----------------------------|-----------------------------|----------|
| Factor considered   | Waterways                   | Road                        | Rail                        | Source   |
| Surface occupation  | Negligible                  | 0 0002                      | 0.0001                      | PIANC    |

## of transportati 5. More environment mode tra on

| Factor considered   | Rates Considered (Rs/TKm)   | Rates Considered (Rs/TKm)   | Rates Considered (Rs/TKm)   | Source              |
|---------------------|-----------------------------|-----------------------------|-----------------------------|---------------------|
| Factor considered   | Waterways                   | Road                        | Rail                        | Source              |
| Emission of GHGs    | 0.0006                      | 0 0031                      | 0 0006                      | tnFive Year Plan 12 |