Karnataka to build interstate waterway between Mangaluru and Goa

The Karnataka government has decided to build an ambitious inter-state waterway between Mangaluru and Panaji (Goa) to promote tourism and provide affordable passenger and cargo transportation. Although techno-economic feasibility studies for the 11 National Waterways (NWs) have been started in Karnataka, the state government has started preparing a Detailed Feasibility Report (DFR) for the creation of an inter-state waterway between Mangaluru and Panaji. Three companies have shown interest in the Request for Proposal (RFP) from the Karnataka Government, floated by the Ports & Inland Water Transport Department, Directorate of Ports and Inland Water Transport. The estimated cost is Rs 30.50 lakh, and the project has been submitted for administrative approval. The Detailed Feasibility Report (DFR) or Detailed Project Report (DPR) is intended for the implementation of Roll-On and Roll-Off (Ro-Ro) and passenger ferry services. In Karnataka, there are seven major river systems with several tributaries, but there has been little success in developing interior waterways for transportation, tourism, or cargo movement. According to the National Waterways Act of 2016, there are 111 officially notified Inland NWs in India for inland water navigation. In 2016, 106 of them were generated. Techno-economic feasibility studies have begun for the newly declared 106 NWs. Two of the 11 from Karnataka are inter-state. The IWA identified NWs are: Ghataprabha River, 112 km, Kabini River, 23kms; Kali River, 54 km; Malaprabha River, 94 km; Panchagangavalli River, 23km; Sharavathi River, 29 km, Udyavara River, 16km; Nethravathi River, 78 km; Bhima River, 139 km between Telangana —Karnataka; Tungabhadra River, 230 km between the states of Telangana, Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh and Gurupura River, 10 km. Last year, the Kanara Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI) petitioned the Director of Ports to take steps to develop the inland waterway between Bantwal and Markada Bridge in Dakshina Kannada, which was classified by IWA as National Waterway 74 and National Waterway 43. Image Source Also read: Haldia inland waterway terminal and jetty to be operational soon Also read: New shipping route to link north-east India with West Bengal