Inland Waterways set to become a reality in Telangana

Khammam/ Warangal/ Karimnagar: Despite technological advances in air and surface transportation, inland waterways continue to play a vital role in many parts of the world. In the ancient days, business was conducted mainly through the waterways. Many commodities were exported and imported through waterways in the past.

Knowing the importance of inland waterways, the Telangana State government is focussing on the development of the waterways. The Telangana State shares its borders with Andhra Pradesh in the south, Chhattisgarh in the east, and Maharashtra and Karnataka in the west. Situated at a high altitude, the State has prominent perennial rivers such as Godavari in north and the Krishna in the south.

The waterways project in the State is all set to be put on the fast track. The project will connect Godavari, Krishna, Manjira and Bhima rivers in state along with others. This will reduce transportation costs as waterways transport is just one-fifth of the road transportation cost.

The distance between Kaleshwaram to Bhadrachalam by road via Warangal and Eturnagaram is 300 km and through waterways on Godavari river it is only 200 km and the distance between Bhadrachalam to Rajamahendravaram by road via Kukunoor is 205 km and through waterways it is 170 kilometers.

Roads and Buildings Minister Tummala Nageswara Rao recently announced that the State government had prepared plans for waterways from Kaleshwaram to Bhadrachalam on Godavari river and submitted the report to the Central government.

The proposed Godavari waterways project, after its implementation, will change the face of the economy of the three states Telangana, Chattisgarh and Andhra Pradesh with Bhadrachalam as main centre. All the new reservoirs, barrages and bridges are being constructed by the State government have been designed to suit the needs of the waterways project, he added.

He also said that the Centre has accorded permission to take up waterways project from Bhadrachalam to the Pranahitha river on Maharashtra border. The project will pass through Bhadrachalam, Eturunagaram and Pranahitha. Godavari River will be used as waterway.

Anaboina Sampath Kumar, a faculty member in Kakatiya Universtiy, said the Waterways are the cost efficient and environment-friendly mode of transportation. Waterways are important for industrial development as it will increase imports. Loads of materials particularly grains, coal, ores and other items can be transported through waterways for less cost in comparison with the roadways and helps in overall economic growth of the State and the nation.

Recently, the Central government has called upon Telangana State, Andhra Pradesh and Maharashtra to form a Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) for developing Godavari Inland Waterways with 10 per cent equity and announced to sanction Rs 2,000 crore for the project.

Apart from that the Central government has also given its nod for sanctioning of funds for transforming the famous Bhadrachalam City which is considered as Dakshina Ayodhya into a tourist hub in the name of ‘Ramayanam Circuit’.