60-70% of work completed on National Waterways 1 and 2 projects: Union Minister Sonowal.

The development of National Waterways is progressing steadily, with over 61% of physical and financial work completed on National Waterway 1 (NW-1) and over 71% on National Waterway 2 (NW-2), Union Minister of Ports, Shipping & Waterways, Sarbananda Sonowal, informed the Lok Sabha on Friday.

For NW-1, which covers the Ganga-Bhagirathi-Hooghly River System from Haldia to Allahabad, significant progress has been made in the Jal Marg Vikas Project. Key components of the project include multi-modal terminals at Varanasi, Sahibganj, and Haldia, construction of a new navigational lock at Farakka, and modernization of the existing lock gate at Farakka. With physical progress of 61.79% and financial progress at 61.57%, the project is advancing as planned.

Similarly, the development of NW-2, covering the Brahmaputra River from Dhubri to Sadiya, has achieved 71.23% completion in both physical and financial aspects. Major components of this project include the construction of cargo terminals at Bogibeel and Jogighopa, development of an approach road from Pandu Port to NH-27, and the establishment of a ship repair facility at Pandu, Assam.

Regarding the comprehensive development of NW-16 and the Indo-Bangladesh Protocol Route, 16.39% of the work has been completed. This includes the construction of terminals at Sonamura on the Gumti River, the upgradation of Badarpur and Karimganj Terminals, and procurement of dredging and survey vessels.

Further, the development of 23 additional National Waterways, including NW-3, NW-4, NW-5, and 16 new waterways, is 47.84% complete. These projects involve fairway development, terminal infrastructure, hydrographic surveys, and other navigational advancements.

Sonowal’s report highlights the rapid and ongoing transformation of India's inland waterway infrastructure, which aims to enhance shipping and navigation capabilities across the country.

ET