For the development and maintenance of 332km stretch of National Waterways-5 in Odisha, Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the state government and Port of Paradip and Dhamra.
The waterway is aimed to transport coal and iron ore. The waterway stretch is to be developed in two phases at a cost of Rs 2,000 crore within three years. The project is to be funded by two international agencies, the Union government said in a statement on Monday.
In the first phase, the stretch between Jokadia to Dhamra and Paradip Port would be developed for the purpose of shipping and navigation of cargo vessels of about 1500 tonne with the required infrastructure and navigation aids. In the second phase, the stretch between Talcher and Jokadia of about 131 kilometers will be developed.
IWAI shall prepare the project proposal for this stretch of National Waterways-5 in the next five months and after obtaining necessary sanction of the estimated cost of the project will initiate action for the execution of the project.Odisha government shall identify and handover the land required for the execution of the project especially for the purpose of building terminals and other related infrastructure.
The Paradip and Dhamra port would be responsible for developing the captive terminal facilities in their respective port premises.
Ministry of Shipping would be approaching Asian Development Bank (ADB) and Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) for funding of the project.
The proposed waterway will help the industries in Kalinganagar and Vyas Nagar Industrial Hub. The development of NW-5 would help in speedier and cost effective evacuation of coal, iron ore and other industrial products from Talcher area to the Ports of Paradip and Dhamra.
Mumbai Port's Waterfront
For preparing a road map for the development of Mumbai Port's waterfront and port lands, the Union Ministry of Road Transport, Highways and Shipping has constituted a committee.
Union Minister of State for Road Transport, Highways and Shipping Krishanpal Gurjar said in Rajya Sabha that plans have been conceptualized to build world class cruise Terminal, Marina, Floating Hotel and restaurant.
The minister said that the total acreage of land available in this Port Trust is about 753 hectares and the approximate value of the same, based on the ready reckoner, is around Rs 46,000 crore.
Gurjar pointed out that this does not include value of water area under Mumbai Port. The valuation is likely to vary depending upon the use of land such as residential, commercial, industrial, permissible Floor Space Index (FSI), Transferable Development Rights (TDR).
