Status of Development of Waterways in India

Based on the outcome of techno-economic feasibility and Detailed Project Reports (DPRs) of the NWs completed, action plan has been formulated for 26 NWs which have been found viable for cargo/passenger movement. The list of the 26 NWs with their status (state-wise) is at Annex-1. Development activities have been initiated in the first 13 NWs out of these 26 NWs. Details and status of waterways of Karnataka undertaken for development is at Annex-2.

The details of targets set and expected expenditure involved for completion of waterways projects are at Annex-3.

Under National Perspective Plan (NPP) prepared in year 1980 for inter-basin water transfer, National Water Development Agency (NWDA), Ministry of Jal Shakti has identified 30 links (16 under Peninsular Component and 14 under Himalayan Component) for preparation of Feasibility Reports (FRs) under Inter-linking of Rivers Project. Detailed Project Reports (DPRs) of 8 link projects, FRs of 24 links and Pre Feasibility Reports (PFRs) of all the 30 links have been completed.

Ken-Betwa link is the first link under NPP that is ready for implementation. A tripartite agreement has been signed amongst states of MP and UP and Central Govt, for the implementation of Ken-Betwa Link project in March, 2021 in the august presence of Hon’ble Prime Minister of India. Govt. of India has approved the implementation of Ken-Betwa Link Project with an estimated cost of Rs. 44605 Cr at year 2020-21 price level and central support of Rs. 39317 Cr.  [90: 10 (Central: State) ] through a Special Purpose Vehicle viz; Ken Betwa Link Project Authority. A Gazette notification for the same has been issued by Ministry of Jal Shakti on 11.2.2022. The implementation of the link has been initiated. The funding pattern as approved by Govt. of India for Ken-Betwa Link project is applicable to Ken-Betwa Link project only.

The funding pattern and sanction of funds for any ILR project is decided on case to case basis at the time / stage of their implementation.

Annex-1

 

LIST OF 26 NATIONAL WATERWAYS FOUND FEASIBLE FOR CARGO / PASSENGER MOVEMENT

 

Sl. No	National Waterway	Details of Waterways	STATES	Status
1	National Waterway 1	Ganga-Bhagirathi-Hooghly River System (Haldia – Allahabad)	Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand & West Bengal	Development taken up with Assistance from World Bank Jal Marg Vikas Project
2	National Waterway 2	Brahmaputra River (Dhubri – Sadiya)	Assam	Development taken up as per approved SFC for FY 2020-21 to 2024-25
3	National Waterway 16	Barak River	Assam
4	National Waterway 3	West Coast Canal (Kottapuram – Kollam), Champakara and Udyogmandal Canals	Kerala	Mostly Operational Waterways and development and maintenance work taken up.
5	National Waterway 4	Krishna River (Vijayawada – Muktyala)	Andhra Pradesh
6	National Waterway 5	Dhamra-Paradio via Mangalagadi to Pankopal	Odisha
7	National Waterway 8	Alappuzha- Changanassery Canal	Kerala
8	National Waterway 9	Alappuzha – Kottayam – Athirampuzha Canal	Kerala (Alternate route: 11.5km)
9	National Waterway 27	Cumberjua River	Goa
10	National Waterway 68	Mandovi River	Goa
11	National Waterway 86	Rupnarayan River	West Bengal
12	National Waterway 97	Sunderbans Waterway	West Bengal
13	National Waterway 111	Zuari River	Goa
14	National Waterway 10	Amba River	Maharashtra	Development proposal at appraisal stage.
15	National Waterway 40	Ghagra River	Bihar
16	National Waterway 44	Ichamati River	West Bengal
17	National Waterway 52	Kali River	Karnataka
18	National Waterway 57	Kopili River	Assam
19	National Waterway 25	Chapora River	Goa
20	National Waterway 37	Gandak River	Bihar
21	National Waterway 28	Dabhol Creek Vasisti River	Maharashtra
22	National Waterway 73	Narmada River	Maharashtra & Gujarat
23	National Waterway 85	Revadanda Creek – Kundalika River System	Maharashtra
24	National Waterway 94	Sone River	Bihar
25	National Waterway 100	Tapi River	Maharashtra & Gujarat
26	National Waterway 31	Dhansiri River	Assam

 

Annex-2

Details and status of waterways of Karnataka undertaken for development:

 

Sl.No.	PROJECT	Cost (in Rs. Cr.)
1.	Integrated Development of Tadadi-Aghanshini Waterway in Kumta Taluka of Uttar Kannada District	20
2.	Development of waterways on Gurupur (NW-43) in Mangalore Taluka of Karnataka	29.62
3.	Development of waterways from Hangarkatte to Manipal in Udupi Taluka of Karnataka	25
4.	Development of waterways from Almatti to Bagalkot in Karnataka	12.2
5.	Development of waterways on Kali river (NW-52 ) in Karwar Taluka of Karnataka (Phase-1)	14.46

 

            Out of above, in-principal approval for funding under Sagarmala Scheme has been conveyed by the Ministry for projects at Sl. No. 1, 2 & 4 above. W.r.t Sl. No. 5, an amount of Rs. 2.70 Cr.  has been released by IWAI to Govt. of Karnataka in 2021.

 

Annex.-3

The details of targets set and expected expenditure involved for completion of waterways projects:

 

Project	Cost (in Cr.)	Completion
National Waterway-1 (NW-1)
JMVP	Rs. 3887.81	Dec, 2023
JMVP-II (ArthGanga )	Rs. 746.00	Dec, 2023
National Waterway-2 (NW-2)	Rs. 461.00	Mar, 202 5
National Waterway-16 (NW-16)	Rs. 145.00	Mar, 2025

 

This information was given by the Union Minister for Ports, Shipping and Waterways, Shri Sarbananda Sonowal in a written reply to the Rajya Sabha.