Gadkari gives nod for inland waterways project

​Hyderabad: In a significant development, Union Minister for Road Transport, Highways and Water Resources Nitin Gadkari on Saturday greenlighted the Inland Waterways project on the river Godavari linking Maharashtra, Telangana and Andhra Pradesh. He said he was ready to float an SPV (Special Purpose Vehicle) with the Centre and the three states.

Gadkari called upon the three states to send proposals regarding the same at the earliest. Stating that he would instruct his ministry officials to prepare a DPR, he exuded confidence of setting the ball rolling for the Godavari Inland Waterways project works this year itself. Further, he announced Rs 2000 crore grant initially for this project. Gadkari felt that the waterways project on Godavari would boost TS and AP economy hugely.

Gadkari was reacting to an appeal made by Telangana minister K T Rama Rao to include Telangana in the Inland Waterways project. Both shared the stage at the foundation stone programme held here on Saturday for four new projects to be undertaken by the Union Highways ministry and Telangana government The Central minister said that the Inland Waterways is his dream project.

“Many thought this is unrealistic to achieve in India, but it is on its way to become a reality. We have started 10 projects already. Nearly 1680km on the river Ganga is being connected under this initiative,” he said.

Explaining the need for using inland waterways, the minister pointed out that logistics and export costs would be very cheaper through this mode than road and rail modes. “At present, we spend 18 per cent on logistics costs, while in China it is 8 to 10 per cent and in Europe it is 12 to 13 per cent. If we use waterways effectively, our logistics costs would come down doubling the exports. The industry would benefit making the country competitive in global market.

This means the country would prosper so also many states in the country and most importantly youth would benefit with the creation of employment opportunities big time,” the minister remarked. He pointed out European countries like France, Germany, Italy and United Kingdom make the best use of waterways for exports and setting up various industries nearer to rivers.

Further, Gadkari stated that trials for sea plane ride was conducted in Mumbai recently and once this is set into motion, his ministry would build Riverports reducing the need for construction of new airports. Raising this topic during his speech made earlier, Minister K T Rama Rao said the Telangana government had kept this in mind during construction of Kaleshwaram project. Necessary steps are being taken to facilitate water transport during construction of barrages, he stressed.