Lok Sabha Question No. 1226 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-02-09
Subject: Rivers used for Waterways
Ministry: PORTS, SHIPPING AND WATERWAYS
Asked by: Queen Oja

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

## LOKSABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.  1226

ANSWERED ON 09.02.2024

## RIVERS USED FOR WATERWAYS

## 1226. SHRIMATI QUEEN OJA:

Will the Minister of PORTS, SHIPPING AND WATERWAYS be pleased to state:

## पȅन , पोत पįरवहन और जलमागŊ मंũी

- (a) the names of the rivers running through Assam suitable for waterways which can be used for ferrying goods as well as for transportation; and
- (b) the  names  of  the  rivers  currently  being  used  as  waterways  along  with  the  steps being taken by the Government to make the said rivers more useful?

## ANSWER

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

(a)&(b)Out of 111 National Waterways (NWs) declared vide National Waterways Act, 2016, 15 NWs are in Assam. Consequent upon completion of feasibility studies/Detailed Project Reports,8 NWs of Assam including inter-State have been found feasible for transportation, details of  which is given in Annexure - 1.For development of under mentioned 4 NWs of Assam, steps taken by Government are mentioned below;-

- (i) NW-2 (River Brahmaputra):-
- (a)    Comprehensive  development  of  NWs  at  a  cost  of  INR  474  cr.  approved  which include  Fairway  Development,  Terminal  at  Jogighopa,  Tourist-cum-Cargo  Inland Water Transport (IWT) Terminal at Bogibeel etc.
- (b)  Construction of alternative elevated road to Pandu Port to NH-27 at estimated cost of Rs.180 Cr. taken up
- (c)  Construction of ship repair facility at Pandu (Guwahati) at estimated cost of Rs. 208 Cr. taken up.

(ii) NW-16 (River Barak):- Comprehensive development of NW-16 and Indo-Bangladesh Protocol (IBP) route at a cost of Rs. 148 crore approved which include fairway development and works viz. Up-gradation of Badarpur and Karimganj terminals, Construction of terminal at Maia on Ganga River and Construction of Terminal at Sonamura on Gumti river.

- (iii) Development of NW-31 (river Dhansiri) at a cost of Rs. 84 cr.
- (iv) Development of NW-57 (river Kopili) at a cost of Rs. 32 cr.

## LIST OF NWS IN ASSAM FOUND FEASIBLE AS PER STUDIES COMPLETED

| Sl. No.                                                                | National Waterway (NW)                                                 | Length (km)                                                            | Details of Waterways                                                   | STATES                                                                 |
|------------------------------------------------------------------------|------------------------------------------------------------------------|------------------------------------------------------------------------|------------------------------------------------------------------------|------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| (A) National Waterways found feasible for cargo and passenger movement | (A) National Waterways found feasible for cargo and passenger movement | (A) National Waterways found feasible for cargo and passenger movement | (A) National Waterways found feasible for cargo and passenger movement | (A) National Waterways found feasible for cargo and passenger movement |
| 1                                                                      | NW-2                                                                   | 891                                                                    | Brahmaputra River (Dhubri - Sadiya)                                    | Assam                                                                  |
| 2                                                                      | NW-16                                                                  | 121                                                                    | Barak River                                                            | Assam                                                                  |
| 3                                                                      | NW-57                                                                  | 50                                                                     | Kopili River                                                           | Assam                                                                  |
| (B) National Waterways found feasible for tourism and ferry services   | (B) National Waterways found feasible for tourism and ferry services   | (B) National Waterways found feasible for tourism and ferry services   | (B) National Waterways found feasible for tourism and ferry services   | (B) National Waterways found feasible for tourism and ferry services   |
| 1                                                                      | NW-6                                                                   | 68.484                                                                 | Aai river                                                              | Assam                                                                  |
| 2                                                                      | NW-18                                                                  | 68.9                                                                   | Beki river                                                             | Assam                                                                  |
| 3                                                                      | NW-30                                                                  | 109.136                                                                | Dehing river                                                           | Assam                                                                  |
| 4                                                                      | NW-50                                                                  | 42.576                                                                 | Jinjiram river                                                         | Assam & Meghalaya                                                      |
| 5                                                                      | NW-95                                                                  | 106.45                                                                 | Subansiri River                                                        | Assam                                                                  |

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