Ø Inland waterways can not only boost the
movement of goods and passengers across the country but will also help in
saving about Rs.10,000 crore annually in transporting coal, Shipping Minister
Nitin Gadkari said. The Minister, who also holds the charge of Road Transport
and Highways, added that he is hopeful of Parliament’s nod on the bill to
convert 111 rivers across India into National Waterways in the current Winter
Session. Inland waterways will help in saving logistics costs and boost
movement of goods and passengers across the country. Besides, they will also
save around Rs.10,000 crore per year while transporting coal, a crucial
resource. The waterways is a cheaper and environment friendly medium for
transporting of goods, he said. One HP moves 150 kg on road, 500 kg on rail and
4,000 kg on water besides one litre of fuel moves 24 tonne/km on road, 85
tonne/km on rail and 105 tonne/km on water. The Minister pointed out that port
sector in India has turned around under the present government and those
managing ports have been directed to improve the performance. We expect the
ports to register a profit of Rs 6,000 crore this fiscal, which the government
will invest to create assets to spur growth. Necessary permissions and
approvals for undertaking such assignments have been completed. The Minister
called upon the industry to participate in making dry ports, as India’s 14
states have the potential for such ports.
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