Nine permanent inland water transport terminals with godowns and two Ro-Ro/Ro-passenger terminals were constructed on national waterway (NW)-3, said Union minister for ports, shipping and waterways Sarbananda Sonowal in the Lok Sabha. NW-3, NW-8 and NW-9 were sanctioned over the last three years, he added.
In his reply to a written query, Sonowal stated that Centre invested Rs 6,434 crore from 2014-15 to 2023-24 for the development of NWs in the country. “In Kerala, the sanctioned routes on NW-3, the West Coast Canal system, are from Kottapuram to Kollam, Champakara and Udyogamandal canals. NW-3 is 560km long, stretching from Kollam to Hosdurg in Karnataka. The other sanctioned route is NW-8, the Alappuzha-Changanassery canal, and NW-9, which is Alappuzha-Athirampuzha canal,” he said.
Sonowal said that the National Waterways (Construction of Jetties/Terminals) Regulations 2025 were notified, allowing private companies to invest in and operate inland waterways infrastructure by providing a clear regulatory framework to attract private sector investment for facilitating the growth of the inland waterways sector.
With growing concerns about the safety of cargo movement on roads, inland water transport (IWT) is being considered an economical, safe and environmentally friendly mode of transportation, he said. Revitalisation of inland waterways is anticipated to contribute to eco-tourism through river cruises/houseboats and sustainable transportation, he added.
Join our WhatsApp channel for more updates:
Subscribe to our YouTube channel for more updates:
