Waterways transport project may be initiated on Mithi river

Maharashtra government will send a proposal to start water transport on Mithi river to the National Inland Waterways Authority, chief minister Devendra Fadnavis said.

"A proposal will be sent to the Inland Waterways Authority," Fadnavis said, replying to a query by Ashish Shelar (BJP) in the Lower House.

Shelar said Rs 1,000 crore are being made available for waterways transport in 111 rivers in the country.

He demanded that the Mithi river, which gained prominence during the July 26, 2005 deluge, should be included in the list.

The project has received further impetus with the Rajya Sabha passed the National Waterways Bill 2015 unopposed in March this year and it is among the few legislations that the opposition is allowing passage in the upper house setting the stage for the adoption of the new law. Once it is a law, it can potentially provide an alternative form of transporting goods, which at present is dominated by road and rail, and open up economic opportunities to new regions. The bill which was introduced by shipping minister Nitin Gadkari was approved by the Lok Sabha last year and would now be sent to the President for his approval.