Development of National Waterways in North East Region and Three Multimodal Inland Water Transport (IWT) Terminals on National Waterway-1

For the development of National Waterways in the North East Region (NER), an amount of Rs.100 crore has been provided in the Budget Estimates (BE)-2016-17. Expenditure for developmental works being taken up on the river Brahmaputra and Barak will be met out of this allocation.

Specified stretches of Rivers Brahmaputra and Barak have been declared as National Waterway-2 and 16 respectively by the National Waterways Act, 2016. River Brahmaputra has been developed substantially in terms of fairway, navigational aids and terminals with mechanized handling facilities. This waterway is operational and vessels are operating on it.

Development of river Barak for navigation is proposed in two stages. The stretch from Silchar to Bhanga (71 km) is proposed under Phase-I and the remaining stretch from Silchar to Lakhipur (50 km) is proposed to be taken up in Phase-II. Tender for award of work for development of fairway and providing navigational aids in Silchar-Bhanga stretch is in the final stage.

The Union Government has planned construction of three multimodal Inland Water Transport (IWT) terminals on National Waterway-1(Ganga) at Varanasi, Sahibganj and Haldia and one terminal on National Waterway-2 (Brahmaputra) at Pandu. The present status of these terminals is as follows:-

Varanasi (on NW-1)

The work order for construction of Phase-1(A), mainly offshore work has been awarded on 13.05.2016 and the work has already commenced. The cost of the project is Rs. 169.59 crore.

Sahibganj (on NW-1)

The work order for construction of Phase-I of the terminal has been issued on 27.10.2016 at the cost of Rs. 280.90 crore.

Haldia (on NW-1)

Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI) has taken 61 acres of land on 30-year lease from the Kolkata Port Trust at Haldia Dock Complex. Tender process for award of work of Phase-I of the terminal is in advanced stage.

Pandu (on NW-2)

A high and low level Reinforced Cement Concrete (RCC) Jetty has been constructed at Pandu, Guwahati. This jetty is well connected with National Highway-31 and also with Kamakhya Railway Station through Broad gauge railway line. This jetty is in the final stage.

The time frame for completion of the above mentioned projects are as follows:

S.No.

Project

Expected Time frame

1.

Multi-model terminal at Varanasi

26 months from the date of award of work, i.e. 13th May, 2016.

2.

Multi-model terminal at Sahibganj

30 months from the date of award of work, i.e. 27th October, 2016.

3.

Multi-model terminal at Haldia

30 months from the date of award of work.

4.

Mutli-model terminal at Pandu

Already operational

5.

Development of fairway and terminal facilities in river Barak

15 months from the date of award of work.

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