The planned completion of National Waterway 5 (NW-5) will link Talcher with two of the principal ports of Odisha, Paradip and Dhamra, greatly enhancing the development of inland waterways. The goal of this project is to improve efficient and sustainable transportation in the area. It is being led by the Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI) in partnership with the Odisha government.
IIT Madras and the IWAI are working on a thorough master plan for this project, and the Odisha government is anticipated to complete the design shortly. Sources claim that NW-5, one of India’s six officially recognized national waterways, is 623 kilometers long, with 532 kilometers going through Odisha and 91 kilometers into West Bengal.
The waterway will first go through Mangalajodi, connecting Talcher and Dhamra. This route will eventually be extended from Dhamra to Haldia, extending the eastern coast’s network of inland waterways. With a 480-kilometer coastline, Odisha is creating a comprehensive action plan to encourage port-based inland water transportation and maritime transportation. The state’s long-term goal of promoting economic growth, especially through improved logistical infrastructure, includes this effort.
This project marks a critical step in unlocking the economic potential of Odisha’s waterways and strengthening its position as an industrial and transport hub in India.
