Latest news with #IWAI
New Indian Express
3 days ago
- Business
- New Indian Express
KMRL speeds up Srinagar Water Metro feasibility study despite terror attack
KOCHI: The Pahalgam terror attack and the resultant conflagration between India and Pakistan might have shaken the entire Kashmir valley. But authorities have ensured that development activities, including the proposed Srinagar Water Metro, won't suffer a bit. If anything, the Kochi Metro Rail Ltd (KMRL) — which the Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI) has entrusted with conducting water metro feasibility studies at 21 centres across the country — has speeded up the study for the Srinagar project. While the terror attack had initially spurred thoughts of 'delay', the authorities grew determined to implement the project at the earliest to pass on the message that such 'cowardly terror acts' cannot stop the nation from marching ahead. A three-member team headed to Srinagar in the third week of May and completed the preliminary study, which prima facie found the project 'feasible' in the summer capital of Jammu and Kashmir. 'We reversed our initial decision and undertook the challenge as we felt such cowardly acts shouldn't come in the way of a region's development activities. In fact, the authorities there are also pushing forward the Srinagar Smart City project,' said Kochi Water Metro chief operating officer (COO) Sajan P John, who led the team. The preliminary study identified routes linking the famous Dal lake and the Jhelum river which passes through the heart of the city. The targeted population was both local residents and tourists. It, however, suggested that only electric boats should be used, given the fragile environment there. KMRL plans to prepare study report by mid-July 'IWAI chairman Vijay Kumar personally arrived there and said they are ready to invest in the project to develop a green urban transport system,' Sajan said. KMRL intends to prepare a detailed preliminary study report by the middle of July. IWAI will then initiate steps to prepare a detailed project report (DPR). KMRL is optimistic it will be entrusted with that work as well, thanks to the successful operation of the Kochi Water Metro.
India Gazette
26-05-2025
- Business
- India Gazette
'Inland waterways to expand from 11 states to 23 states and 3UTs,' says Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal
New Delhi [India], May 26 (ANI): Union Minister of Ports, Shipping & Waterways, Sarbananda Sonowal on Monday chaired a meeting of the Consultative Committee on Inland Waterways Transport in Mumbai, where it was revealed that 76 waterways are targeted to be made operational by 2027, with cargo volume expected to surge by 156 million tonnes per annum (MTPA) by end of FY 2026, an official statement said. The Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI), the nodal agency under the Ministry, presented a comprehensive review of major projects, future projections, and the roadmap ahead. Members of Parliament attending the meeting acknowledged and appreciated the progress made and supported increased budgetary allocations to boost the sector's growth. The footprint of inland water transport is expected to expand significantly-from 11 states in FY 2024 to 23 states and 4 Union Territories by FY 2027. To support this growth, projects worth Rs. 1,400 crores were launched or announced during the Inland Waterways Development Council (IWDC) meeting held on January 10 earlier this year. Additionally, the Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI) is conducting 10,000 km of longitudinal survey each month to assess Least Available Depth (LAD) for improved navigability. Cargo Volume is likely to make an incremental growth up to 156 MTPA by March, 2026 inching closer towards the Maritime India Vision 2030 target of 200 MTPA. Speaking on the occasion, the Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal said, 'Inland waterways are emerging as the watershed moment in India's logistics and transport ecosystem. Under the visionary leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi ji, we are witnessing a transformational shift with policy interventions like the National Waterways Act, 2016, the Inland Vessels Act, 2021 and supplemented by multiple programmes like Jal Marg Vikas Project, Arth Ganga, Jalvahak scheme, Jal Samriddhi scheme, Jalyan & Navic among others. Through Maritime India Vision 2030 and the Maritime Amrit Kaal Vision 2047.' 'These roadmaps are not just policy documents-they are catalysts driving India toward becoming a global maritime powerhouse. Today's meeting with esteemed Members of Parliament reflects a unified commitment to boost infrastructure and unlock the immense economic potential of our rivers and coasts. With enhanced budgetary support and cooperative federalism, we are building a greener, more efficient, and future-ready waterway network across the country,' he added. The Regional Waterways Grid aims to boost economic activity by ensuring seamless vessel movement from Varanasi to Dibrugarh, Karimganj, and Badarpur via the IBP route, creating a 4,067 km economic corridor. A traffic study and DPR for renovating the Jangipur navigation lock are underway. The project's cargo potential is estimated at 32.2 MMTPA by 2033. On NW 1 (Ganga), a dedicated waterway corridor spanning 1,390 km is being developed to enable seamless movement of vessels, enhancing the efficiency of inland transport. As part of this initiative, capacity augmentation of NW-1 is underway to support the navigation of 1,500-2,000 DWT vessels, alongside the creation of key cargo handling facilities at Varanasi (MMT), Kalughat (IMT), Sahibganj (MMT), and Haldia (MMT). Inland Waterways has major projects in the Northeast. A Rs 5,000 crore roadmap is planned over the next five years. On NW-2 (Brahmaputra), four permanent terminals--Dhubri, Jogighopa, Pandu, and Bogibeel--and 13 floating terminals are supported by fairway and navigation upgrades. A Rs 208 crore ship repair facility at Pandu and a Rs 180 crore alternative road are set for completion by 2026 and 2025, respectively. On NW-16 (Barak), terminals at Karimganj and Badarpur are active, while NW-31 (Dhansiri) is being developed to support NRL's expansion. Adding further, Sonowal said, 'In line with the Harit Nauka Guidelines, the Inland Waterways Authority is committed to green and sustainable transport solutions, including the procurement of electric catamarans and hydrogen fuel cell-powered vessels. By strengthening urban water transport through water metro projects and promoting eco-friendly cruise tourism, we are paving the way for a cleaner, greener future in inland waterways transportation. The Regional Waterways Grid aims to seamlessly connect Assam and the Northeast with the rest of India through an integrated network of inland waterways. This will boost regional trade, tourism, and connectivity while unlocking economic potential across the Brahmaputra and Barak River systems. Government is also working on a Rs 5,000 crore roadmap for Inland Waterways Development in Northeast over next 5 years.' The committee also reviewed the ongoing works on NW -1 (river Ganga), NW 2 (Brahmaputra) among other states like Odisha, Jammu & Kashmir, Goa, Kerala, Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Karnataka, and Tamil Nadu. India's river cruise tourism is witnessing robust growth, with 15 river cruise circuits now operational across 13 National Waterways (NWs) spanning nine states. The number of NWs supporting river cruises has risen from just three in 2013-14 to 13 in 2024-25, while luxury river cruise vessels have increased significantly from three to 25 during the same period. To further boost inland water-based tourism, 51 additional cruise circuits have been identified on 47 NWs for development by 2027. Three World class river cruise terminals are also planned, with construction underway at Kolkata. Feasibility studies for terminals at Varanasi and Guwahati are being conducted by IIT Madras, while four more terminals at Silghat, Bishwanath Ghat, Neamati, and Guijan are set to be developed by 2027. The Consultative Committee meeting was chaired by the Union Minister of Ports, Shipping & Waterways, Sarbananda Sonowal while Minister of State for Ports, Shipping & Waterways, Shantanu Thakur was also present. (ANI)
India Gazette
14-05-2025
- Business
- India Gazette
IWAI sets up its new office in Srinagar, launches initiatives to develop river navigation infrastructure in J-K
ANI 14 May 2025, 06:29 GMT+10 New Delhi [India], May 14 (ANI): In a move that is set to strengthen the Inland Water Transport (IWT) sector in the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir, Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI) under the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways sets up its new office in Srinagar's Transport Bhawan. The office space has been provided by the Jammu and Kashmir government. The office will be central to all the IWT works being undertaken by the Authority in the region and will be functional starting Tuesday. IWAI has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the government of Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir to develop river navigation infrastructure in three national waterways in the Union Territory like NW-26 (River Chenab), NW-49 (River Jhelum), NW-84 (River Ravi). The Authority will now start the development works under the framework of the MoU, as per the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways. These works include setting up of floating jetties at ten locations in Jammu and Kashmir, development of navigational fairway by dredging wherever required, night navigational aids and regular hydrographic surveys for safe plying of vessels in these waterways. Under the dynamic leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the able guidance of Minister of Ports, Shipping and Waterways Sarbananda Sonowal, IWAI has made several infrastructural interventions to develop waterways as a robust engine of growth. With proactive steps like developing IWT terminals and related infrastructure, IWAI is working towards utilizing the immense potential of rivers across the country. The partnership between IWAI and Jammu and Kashmir government is a significant step that promises to promote eco-tourism in the union territory while also stimulating local economy. (ANI)
Time of India
09-05-2025
- General
- Time of India
Project survey notification issued after long delay
Kochi: The proposed Kothad-Chennur bridge project , which connects the Chennur region with the northern parts of the city, is set to become a reality soon as the revenue department issued a notification for the survey of the project. The notification was issued for land acquisition in Kadamakkudy village and this is expected to remove the hurdle for the long-pending project was first proposed in 2005. Following objections from residents, the original bridge project proposal underwent many changes over the years. A second alignment that was proposed five years ago also faced objections. As per the project, 12 properties needed to be acquired and a temple would have been demolished. With 70% of people opposing the land acquisition, the plan was changed again, and Kerala Industrial and Technical Consultancy Organisation (Kitco) was assigned as consultancy for preparing a detailed project report (DPR) based on the original 2021, the project received administrative sanction. However, as the project area falls under the national waterway, it required special permission from the Inland Water Authority of India (IWAI). IWAI officials who visited the site suggested providing a 6m vertical clearance for the bridge from the water surface based on the mean tide level (MTL). Following this, the Goshree Island Development Authority (GIDA) demanded a new alignment for the approach road. Consequently, the public works department started the process to realign the project in to the earlier design, the vertical clearance of the bridge was 6m from high tide level (HTL). So, the IWAI team suggested changing the design. GIDA has demanded a change in the approach road design as it passes through the cemetery area of the notification stated that the survey process will begin soon and the demarcation process of each parcel of land would also be held.
Time of India
07-05-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Kumbalam-Thevara bridge construction to begin soon
Kochi: Kerala Road Fund Board (KRFB) has informed that construction works of the proposed Kumbalam-Thevara bridge will begin soon. Board officials have stated that land acquisition procedures for the approach road are nearing completion and construction can start within receiving a budgetary allocation from state govt in 2016, the project faced delays due to opposition from Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI). Initially, govt proposed a straight bridge connecting Kumbalam to Thevara ferry. However, IWAI objected, arguing that the bridge's pillars would hinder the smooth passage of vessels. Following this, the alignment was modified to address IWAI's bridge is expected to reduce travel distance between Kumbalam and Thevara by nearly 10km, cutting the travel time on the route by half an hour. It is also expected to reduce traffic congestion on various city routes to a certain extent. The bridge will provide residents of Kumbalam, Aroor, Nettoor and Thevara with easier access to these areas without having to navigate through city residents, who are very close to the city, now have to travel around 18km on Aroor-Edappally stretch of NH 66 to reach Kochi. Opening of the new bridge is also expected to significantly reduce vehicle flow at at least four traffic signal project gained significant attention when locals held a hunger strike a decade ago, demanding better connectivity. In 2016, Kerala Infrastructure Investment Fund Board approved Rs 97.45 crore for the bridge and the project is set to take off after nine years.
