Government may declare additional 101 routes as national waterways

NEW DELHI: Government is considering a proposal to declare an additional 101 routes as national waterways, Parliament was informed today.

"A proposal for declaration of 101 additional routes as national waterways is under consideration by the government. The proposal covers waterways across the country, which have potential for year-round commercial navigation," Minister of State for Shipping Pon Radhakrishnan told the Rajya Sabha.

Inland Waterways Authority of India is conducting feasibility studies on the proposed new routes, he added.

"Thereafter, based on the outcome of the study, further steps would be taken for the development of the proposed national waterways," the minister said.

The time-frame for developing these waterways can be finalised only after these are declared as national waterways, he added.

Infrastructure development is poised to take a giant leap as the Budget promises rapid construction of highways, ports, ultra mega power plants, airports and renewable energy projects with the help of massive public funding made possible by delaying fiscal belt-tightening.

Analysts expect foreign direct investment, which has been lukewarm towards Indian infrastructure, to flow into the sector. The optimism stems from the belief that the promised transparent auction and absence of uncertainty over clearances will calm overseas investors, who often say it is difficult to compete with local firms that are adept at navigating bottlenecks and roadblocks.

With projects worth Rs 8.7 lakh crore stalled due to difficulties in clearances, litigation, poor performance of contractors or financial difficulties, Finance Minister Arun Jaitley said the major slippage in the past decade has been on the infrastructure front.

(With inputs from ET Bureau)