Development of 36 Nat’l Waterways to ensure steady economic growth

Development of 36 Nat’l Waterways to ensure steady economic growth

Transportation of inland cargo has increased from 3 million tonnes to 7 million tonne between 2014 and 2018

Kolkata, June 09 (HS): Government of India has identified 36 National Waterways for their immediate development to ensure steady economic growth of the country as well as all regions.

Speaking at the Inland Waterways Summit, organized by Indian Chamber of Commerce (ICC) in association with Inland Waterways Authority of India, here, Pravir Pandey, Chairman, Inland Waterways Authority of India said that taking advantage of inland waterways, transportation of inland cargo had increased from 3 million tonnes to 7 million tonne between 2014 and 2018.

S Balaji Arun Kumar, Deputy Chairman, Kolkata Port Trust said that with development of inland waterways for clearing of goods from ports had smoothened. In view of this the Kolkata Port Trust is also developing inland logistic hub at Balagarh in South Bengal.

Sushila Ramamoorthy, Executive Director, Vivada Cruises, talked about the opportunities of Cruise tourism in India. She felt that Government needs to formulate policy which can help in boosting of the sector.

Roopen Roy, Founder President and CEO, Sumantana Management and former president, ICC pointed out that inland waterways was a cheaper and less polluting way of transporting goods. “India has a good opportunity of growth of inland waterway transport as it is bestowed with 14,500 km stretch of navigable waterway”, he pointed out.