Centre to promote inland waterways

Gadkari during an interaction at MPT with the officials of barge and shipping industry stated that all the rivers will be declared as inland waterways to provide a boost to the industries to transport their cargo by waterways. “About five lakh accidents take place on road transport and our priority is road safety. With the promotion of water transport, pollution and accidents caused by road transport will be reduced,” said Gadkari. “Since water ways is the cheapest means of transport, most of the national revenue will be saved. The government plans to start satellite ports and increase the present ports from 12 to 25,” added Gadkari. Gadkari said the government is planning to start ship breaking in Maharashtra and Karnataka. “Ship breaking is having great potential and the government also plans to set up ship breaking in Goa depending on the environment impact,” he said. To a query by All Goa Barge Owners Association President Atul Jadav on having separate port for inland waterways, Gadkari said the stakeholders should sit with the chief minister and draw out a plan. “The government is open to good suggestions and if the State government gives necessary permissions, then the government will act accordingly,” he added.