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Govt keen to launch inland waterways navigation and passenger transportation in North East

2019-08-01

New Delhi: The Ministry of Shipping is keen to start inland waterways navigation and passenger transportation in the rivers in the North Eastern states of the country. Mansukh Laxmanbhai Mandaviya, Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Shipping has said that the public sector consultancy WAPCOS is preparing a model detailed project report (DPR) for running low-cost ferry services on the inland waterways in these states.

This model DPR can be adopted for quick implementation by the Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI) in consultation with the different state governments in the region, the minister added.

Mandaviya also said that inland waterways transport can be a game changer for the North Eastern states as land routes here are often long, circuitous and time consuming due to the difficult terrain. Besides bringing ease of movement, the waterways projects will also help generate employment locally, he said.