Lok Sabha Question No. 2200 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-08-01
Subject: Enhancement of Infrastructure along National Waterways
Ministry: PORTS, SHIPPING AND WATERWAYS
Asked by: Dr. Shrikant Eknath Shinde, Smt. Shambhavi, Shri Ravindra Dattaram Waikar, Shri Rajesh Verma, Shri Naresh Ganpat Mhaske

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2200

ANSWERED ON 01.08.2025

## ENHANCEMENT OF INFRASTRUCTURE ALONG NATIONAL WATERWAYS

2200.  SHRI RAJESH VERMA: SHRI RAVINDRA DATTARAM WAIKAR: DR. SHRIKANT EKNATH SHINDE; SMT. SHAMBHAVI: SHRI NARESH GANPART MHASKE:

## Will the Minister of PORTS, SHIPPING AND WATERWAYS be pleased to state: पȅन , पोत पįरवहन एवं जलमागŊ मंũालय

(a)  whether  the  Government  has  announced  significant  investments  to  enhance infrastructure along national waterways, and if so, the details of thereof; (b)  whether  these  initiatives  are  expected  to  improve  transportation  efficiency  and promote  economic  growth  in  the  regions  served  by  national  waterways,  if  so,  the details of these investments; (c)  whether  the  Government  has  initiated  the  Riverine  Community  Development Scheme to support coastal communities, and if so, the specific measures included in this scheme; (d) whether there are plans to launch new green vessels as part of the Government's commitment  to  sustainable  shipping  practices,  and  if  so,  the  number  of  vessels planned for launch; and (e) whether these efforts are anticipated to create job opportunities and promote skill development in the inland waterways sector, and if so, the initiatives being undertaken to achieve this?

## ANSWER

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

(a)  &  (b)  Government  has  sanctioned  significant  investment  of  Rs.  6833.46  Crore during last 5 years to enhance infrastructure along national waterways as detailed at Annexure. The  development  of  National  Waterways,  being  an  alternate  and supplementary  mode  of  transportation,  can  improve  transportation  efficiency  and promote economic growth in the regions.

(c)  Under the Jal Marg Vikas Project, Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI), an autonomous organisation under Ministry of Ports, Shipping & Waterways has taken up construction of 60 Community Jetties for socio-economic benefits of the farmers, fishing and local communities residing along the river Ganga (National Waterway-1) in  the  State  of Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand and West Bengal. Apart from this, floating  jetties/terminals  have  been  constructed  along  other  National  Waterways across the country to facilitate the communities living around these rivers.

(d) IWAI has placed order on Cochin Shipyard Limited (CSL) for construction of eight hybrid  electric  catamaran.  In  addition,  one  hydrogen  fuelled  vessel  constructed by CSL has been handed over to IWAI and deployed at Varanasi.

(e) Development of Inland Water Transport (IWT) sector has the potential for creating job opportunities and promote skill development in various areas, including river cruise tourism, vessel design/operations, terminal construction and operation, maintenance dredging, fairway development, navigation aids, river engineering, hydrology etc.

DETAILS OF INVESTMENT SANTIONED ON WATERWAYS DURING THE LAST FIVE YEARS:

| Sl.   | Name of Project                                                                                                                                                    |   Amount (Crore) |
|-------|--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|------------------|
| 1     | Jal Marg Vikas Project (JMVP-I & II) from Varanasi-Haldia stretch on NW-1 (Ganga-Bhagirathi-Hooghly River System) in Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand & West Bengal |          5061.15 |
| 2     | 8 Nos. Hybrid Electric Catamaran (Green inland vessels)                                                                                                            |           144    |
| 3     | Comprehensive Development of NW-2 (River Brahmaputra from Bangladesh Border to Dhubri to Sadiya) in Assam                                                          |           498.38 |
| 4     | Development of Approach Road from Pandu Port Terminal to NH-27 and Ship Repair Facility at Pandu, Guwahati                                                         |           419    |
| 5     | Comprehensive Development of NW-16                                                                                                                                 |           134.72 |
| 7     | Development of 23 NW's (Phase-1)                                                                                                                                   |           266.09 |
| 8     | Central Sector Scheme (CSS) for inland waterway infrastructure projects in NER                                                                                     |           100    |
| 9.    | Misc. projects                                                                                                                                                     |           210.22 |
| Total | Total                                                                                                                                                              |          6833.56 |

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