Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI) is spreading the scope of the National Waterways (NW), as it plans to develop and operationalise three waterways in the state of Maharashtra.
The Authority has invited expression of interest (EoI) for NW-10, NW-28 and NW-85 on a Design, Build, Finance, Operate and Transfer (DBFOT) model.
Once operational, it would be the first set of waterways in the state to be used for the transportation of all types of cargo, including the bulk volume cargo like construction material, food grains and fertiliser etc.
Transportation of Over Dimensional Cargo (ODC) through waterways is also more convenient than rail and road.
By virtue of its location, all three waterways present a complementary transport route connecting cargo dense regions (including mines and manufacturing facilities) with nearby ports.
Four Routes
To promote inland water transport (IWT) in the country, 111 inland waterways (including 5 existing and 106 new) spread over 24 states, have been declared as National Waterways under National Waterway Act, 2016.
A total of 13 National Waterways either pass through or are in the state of Maharashtra.
Based on the outcome of techno-economic feasibility and Detailed Project Reports (DPRs) of these NWs, action plan has been formulated by IWAI for 26 NWs found viable for cargo/passenger movement.
In the state of Maharashtra, four such National Waterways has been taken for developmental activities. These include NW-10, 28, 85 and 100.
NW-10
The NW 10 is located on Amba River in the Raigad district of Maharashtra.
It is about 45 km stretch of the Amba river beginning from Dharamtar creek in the Arabian Sea near village Revas and ending near the Bridge at Nagothane ST Stand.
According to the DPR, it can be used for both passenger and cargo traffic. The development is suggested in two phases – first phase of 15 km is to be made operational on immediate effect and the remaining stretch can be operational from 2025.
NW-28
Similarly, NW-28 is part of the Vashishti River (Dabhol Creek), which passes through the Ratnagiri district of Maharashtra.
Out of the total length, the 45 km stretch from Arabian Sea at Dabhol Lat to Bridge at Pedhe Lat, has been declared as the national waterway.
The waterway can sustain both ferry and tourism traffic. It can also handle inbound chemical containers and exports from JNPT port.
NW-85
The 31 km long Kundalika River from Arabian Sea at Revadanda to the bridge on Roha- Astami Road near Roha Nagar, constitutes NW-85.
The Kundalika River passes through the Raigad district of Maharashtra.
According to the DPR, the waterway can only handle inbound cargo of coal and iron ore.
The selected developer will be required to take various interventions including construction of multi modal terminal, setting up of floating terminals at various locations, setting up of RIS services, provision of Ro-Ro services and dredging across the across the aforementioned national waterways.