The Parliament has passed National Waterways Bill, 2015 to clear the way for the conversion of 106 rivers and creeks across India into transport waterways. It was first passed in Lok Sabha in December 2015 and later was passed by Rajya Sabha in March 2016.
The amendments in Bill are based on the recommendations of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Transport, Tourism and Culture and comments of states.
Key Features :
- The changes effected in the original list of 101 waterways, which was introduced with the National Waterways Bill 2015, include omission of 10 waterways of Kerala, merger of 17 with the existing waterways and addition of 18.
- In order to carry out these changes, an official amendment to the National Waterways Bill, 2015 was moved in the Lok Sabha.
- The Bill provides for enacting a central legislation to declare 106 additional inland waterways as the national waterways.
- After the inclusion of 106 additional inlands waterways to the existing five national waterways, the total number of national waterways goes up to 111.
- Declaration of additional 106 waterways as national waterways will not have any immediate financial implications.
- Financial approval of the competent authority for each waterway will, however, be taken based on the outcome of the techno-economic feasibility studies which are being undertaken by the Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI).
- The expeditious declaration of national waterways and its subsequent development will spur industrial growth and tourism potential of the hinterland along the waterway.
- This will also provide an additional, cheaper and environment friendly mode of transportation throughout the country.