With a total navigable length of 14,500 km through a huge network of waterways in the form of rivers, canals, backwaters and creeks, the total cargo moved through inland waterways is said to be extremely low, just 0.1%. With a view to developing the inland waterways in all possible ways, a Committee has been constituted under Secretary, Planning Commission, to explore the ways and means of promoting the inland waterways. The other members are the Secretary, Ministry of Shipping, DG of Inland Waterways Authority of India and a representative from the Department of Economic Affairs. The Committee will study and identify the areas where private investment in infrastructure and in transportation will be invited. It will also identify effective business models. The waterways declared as National Waterways will be monitored by the Central Government and the other waterways will be under the purview of the State Governments. The Government has already initiated steps to develop the inland waterways such as ensuring targeted depth and width in the navigational channels, helping navigation round the clock, fixed or floating terminals at some specific locations. It also extends 100% grant-in-aid to the States in the North-Eastern Region for the development of Inland Waterways Transport.www.sagarsandesh.com
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