Promoting waterways is the top-most priority: Gadkari

Says road transportation cost Rs 1.5 per km, Railways cost Rs 1 and water transportation cost only 30 paise

Union transport and shipping minister Nitin Gadkari said that the promoting waterways is the top-most priority of his ministry.

"The government is spending over Rs 6 lakh crore by importing oil and gas and petroleum products. Waterways transportation is much cheaper than other modes of transport and if road transportation cost Rs 1.5 per km, Railways cost Rs 1 and water transportation cost only 30 paise," he said during this address at valedictory function of Symposium on International Automotive Technology (SIAT) 2015  organised by ARAI in Pune.  Gadkari also said that the government has already agreed on the use of seaplanes.

"We are allowing hovercrafts and in talks with few foreign players who manufacture seaplanes and hovercrafts .The Union government has already identified 101 rivers across the nation where the waterways traffic will be initiated especially to move cargos," he said.

He also said that the government may soon come out with a bill to promote inland waterways transportation which would be economical and hassle-free as compared to other modes of transportation.

"The ministry is committed to reducing traffic burden from roads and promote water transportation where transportation cost are cheaper. Inland waterways comprising rivers, lakes, canals, creeks and  backwaters extend to about 14,500km in the country," he said.

The government has already decided to launch PM Jal Marg Yojna and projects for setting up dry and satellite ports, besides converting river ways into waterways. The work on developing 12 terminals on Banaras-Haldia (Kolkata) waterway will start within two months and would cost around Rs 4,200 crore.

He added, " Development of waterways will be done on priority. The first trial of made in Sydney buses, run on waterways will be done in Mumbai within two months. " Gadkari also highlighted the modernisation of transport offices.

He said that for monitoring of cases of traffic and motor vehicle act violation, satellites would be used. Over 10,000 computerised centres will  be opened across India for preparation of driving licences. "It's matter of concern that 30 per cent  of drivers were running on road have bogus licences and they were not even trained enough. Road accidents kills almost 1.5 lakh people every year and around 300,000 people are handicapped," he said.