Expect law on 101 waterways conversion by December: Official

Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI) is hoping that the central government will enact legislation by the end of 2015 to convert 101 waterways into national waterways.

"I am hoping that the parliament will pass legislation by the end of December this year to convert 101 waterways to national waterways," IWAI chairman Amitabh Verma told media persons here on the sidelines of an event.

He said the central government can take a call on converting roads to highways but a parliamentary legislation is compulsory to upgrade the waterways as national waterways.

In March, the union cabinet gave the nod for the conversion.

Verma said the projects have been grouped under three categories as per their readiness of conversion.

"By November-December, tenders for eight of the 16 projects are likely to be floated. These projects are ready to be converted," he said.

The government has identified 40 projects under the second group where land may be procured to implement the conversion.

"The third category comprises of 45 waterways where land procurement may be a problem," he said.

According to the shipping ministry official, the government is likely to access the capital market to fund the projects by raising public money.

"These projects will be implemented by the public-private partnership model, by funding from the central annual budget and public borrowing is likely," he said.

This move is likely to open up business opportunities in the areas of dredging, barge construction, barge operation, terminal construction, terminal operation, storage facilities and tourist cruises.