The Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI) was constituted for development and regulation of the Inland Water Transport sector in October 1986 after which five waterways have been declared as national waterways for their systematic development for shipping and navigation.
IWAI strives to promote inland water transport infrastructure by providing the targeted depth and width for most part of the year in the navitgational channels; aids for day and night navigation; fixed/ floating terminals at selected locations for berthing and loading/ unloading of vessels; and intermodal connectivity at selected locations.
Further, for development of waterways of North-Eastern region by the respective State Governments, there exists a central sector Plan scheme under which 100% grant is provided by the Ministry of Shipping to the States.
The above information was given by the Union Minister of Shipping, Shri G.K. Vasan in the Rajya Sabha today in a written reply to a question.
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Dredging Today Staff, May 3, 2012;