Muktyala waterway works to begin soon

​Vijayawada: Works on the first phase of Muktyala-Vijayawada-Kakinada waterway project are set to begin soon. The State government will invite bids for works on the Muktyala-Chamaru (30 km) stretch and Chamaru-Hari Chandra Puram (38 Km) stretch, this week. The tenders will be awarded for works amounting to Rs 69.76 crore.

The inland waterways would promote cheaper transportation, prevent pollution and promote tourism. It may be mentioned here that the Government of India (GoI) has agreed to bear the cost of land acquisition to the tune of Rs 500 crore, for development of ‘Muktyala-Vijayawada-Kakinada stretch’.

The project is a part of first phase of National Waterways-4 (NW-4) from Kakinada to Puducherry with linking of Krishna and Godavari rivers. Inland Waterway Authority of India (IWAI), which is developing the project at an approximate cost of Rs 3,200 crore, has agreed to meet the cost of dredging (digging), modification of cross structures apart from land acquisition for terminals.

The IWAI has entered into an agreement with the State government, for formation of Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) for the development of NW-4 and other waterways in the State. The government will have 49 per cent equity in the SPV. Speaking to The Hans India, Ajay Jain principal secretary of Energy said that the stretch of Krishna river from Vijayawada to Muktyala (Jaggaiahpet) will be dredged to create a waterway for moving cement required for construction of Amaravati, the new capital of Andhra Pradesh.

“These waterways would help transport of cement at cheaper price as majority of cement industries are located on the border of Krishna and Nalgonda districts. AP Water Resource Department (APWRD) in consultation with IWAI will identify 3 to 4 terminals on priority, so that potential cargo commitments can be enabled,” he added.