To promote cargo movement through water in a big way, the government has set in motion transportation of cement on National Waterway 1 on the Ganga.
"In keeping with the objective of the government to make cargo movement on National Waterway 1 (Ganga) a regular feature, an Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI) vessel MV Zakir Hussain on February 5, 2017 (Sunday), set sail from Haldia to Patna carrying 350 tonnes of cement consignment of Dalmia Bharat Cement," IWAI said in a statement today.
Other cement majors like Shree Ultra, UltraTech, Jaypee, Ramco and ACC have also shown interest in transporting their cargo through NW-1, which is being developed under the Jal Marg Vikas Project with technical and financial assistance of the World Bank at an estimated cost of Rs 5,369 crore.
The project will provide for commercial navigation of vessels with capacity of 1,500-2,000 tonnes.
"Dalmia Bharat Cement has assured 1.20 lakh tonnes of cement to be transported from its plant at Salboni in East Midnapore district to various destinations on NW-1 in Jharkhand and Bihar," IWAI said.
Inland Waterways presents a cost-effective, environment-friendly and congestion-free mode of transport.
Phase-I of the project covers the Haldia-Varanasi stretch.
The project includes development of fairway and three multi-modal terminals - in Varanasi, Haldia, and Sahibganj -- strengthening of the river navigation system, conservancy works, modern River Information System (RIS), Digital Global Positioning System (DGPS), night navigation facilities, modern methods of channel marking and construction of a navigation lock at Farakka.
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