Plans to convert rivers into waterways

New Delhi: In order to boost transportation of goods and passengers through waterways, the government plans to seek the Parliament nod for converting 101 rivers into waterways, Union Minister Nitin Gadkari said.

"A Bill is ready for converting 101 rivers into waterways. We will seek Parliament nod on it. We have identified 101 rivers, which cover almost all rivers of the country, to be converted into waterways," Transport Minister, Gadkari said.

For 55 rivers, consultants have been appointed and detailed project reports (DPR) will be formulated once necessary approvals were sought, he said. The projects will be done on public-private-partnership basis, he added.

The government has so far declared only five river stretches as waterways.

Gadkari said a slew of steps are underway to promote the sector and the country is yet to tap the potential of waterways despite being more cost effective than road and rail transport.

He said his ministry was committed to reducing the traffic burden from roads and promote water transportation where transportation cost is barely 30 paise a km in comparison to Re 1 by railways and Rs 1.5 a km through roads.

Inland waterways comprising rivers, lakes, canals, creeks and backwaters extend to about 14,500 km across the country. The government has already decided to launch PM Jal Marg Yojna and projects for setting up dry and satellite ports, besides converting riverways into waterways.