Centre plans Rs 120 Bn Brahmani inland waterway

The Centre unveils an ambitious proposal for a Rs 120 billion inland waterway along the Brahmani river in Odisha. The objective is to facilitate the efficient movement of goods from four key industrial clusters to the ports of Paradip and Dhamra. The scheme envisions government-led infrastructure development using the engineering, procurement, and construction (EPC) model.A collaborative special purpose vehicle (SPV) involving Coal India Limited (CIL), Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI), Paradip Port, and the Odisha government will spearhead the creation of the necessary infrastructure for operationalizing the National Waterway 5 (NW5). A senior government official affirmed that the concept has secured in-principle approval from the respective company boards.The official noted, The state government has also demonstrated its commitment to undertaking this project. Given the capital-intensive nature of the venture, substantial funding support from the central government is anticipated. The initiative encompasses pivotal elements like dredging and navigational locks to manage the river's varying depths. The funding input from the SPV partners will be aligned with their respective shareholding proportions.Presently, NW5 supports the transportation of around 1 million tonnes of cargo annually. However, projections suggest that this figure could surge to 12-14 million tonnes per annum by the year 2030. The Brahmani inland waterway initiative aims to significantly enhance the efficiency and capacity of cargo transportation, thereby promoting economic growth and bolstering the connectivity between industrial clusters and ports.