Will strive to get work on Godavari project started this year:

: Union Minister Nitin Gadkari today said he will strive to get work started on the Godavari inland waterways this year itself adding once the project is completed it will change the economies of Andhra Pradesh, Telangana and Maharashtra.

"Our department has done feasibility study towards Godavari waterways and I will soon give orders for preparing detailed project report (DPR)," he said after laying the foundation for four national highway projects costing Rs 1,523 crore here.

"I will strive to start work on the Godavari waterways this year itself and the Central government will allot an initial funding of Rs 2,000 crore for this project. This is my dream project," the Minister for Road Transport and Highways and Water Resources announced.

Gadkari called upon the three states to contribute 10 per cent equity each for setting up a special purpose vehicle (SPV).

The minister said he would get the remaining funds at lesser interest rates and asked the three state governments to send the proposals.

"I have started works on 10 waterways in the country. We are bringing in seaplanes and the rules towards this will be finalised in the coming months," he said.

In Europe, industries are set up beside rivers and containers are transported by ships through rivers, he said adding through waterway transport logistics costs will substantially come down.

"For our industrial development inland waterways are very important," he said adding "if we use waterway transport our exports will double and our logistics costs will substantially come down."
The minister further said, "India and Pakistan have three rivers each, however, our rightful share of water from our three rivers is flowing into Pakistan and hence I have directed the department to prepare DPR to ensure that we will be able to transfer the water to Punjab, Haryana and Rajasthan."