Shantanu Thakur launches dredging at NW-44, Ichamati River, West Bengal
PORTS & SHIPPING

Shantanu Thakur launches dredging at NW-44, Ichamati River, West Bengal

The Ministry of Ports, Shipping, and Waterways has been actively engaged in the development and modernisation of National Waterways, aiming to promote inland water transport as a cost-effective and eco-friendly mode of transportation. Shantanu Thakur, Minister of State for Ports, Shipping, and Waterways, inaugurated the dredging work at National Waterways 44 (Ichamati River) in West Bengal.

During the event, Thakur stated that Prime Minister Narendra Modi had previously emphasised the significance of inland waterways in fuelling India's economic growth. Under his leadership, The Ministry of Ports, Shipping, and Waterways is dedicated to the unprecedented development of National Waterways. The dredging work from Tentulia to Kalanchi covering a distance of 23.38 km has commenced with the goal of achieving a navigational depth of 1.5 m (1.2 m + 0.3 m tolerance) and enhancing tidal influence in the river. A budget of Rs 30.77 million has been allocated for dredging and related expenses until March 2023, and further funding will be sanctioned for the fiscal year 2023-24 as required. Additionally, a higher capacity dredger will be deployed based on the results of this initial dredging.

To improve navigability, various obstacles such as water hyacinth, weeds, plastic and non-plastic waste, natural and artificial materials (including dumped materials) were cleared from Tentulia (Ch 40 km) to Kalanchi (Ch 63.38 km). The quantity of dredging required was assessed in this process. In the first phase, the construction of the Taranipur bridge (Ch 61.9 km) is actively being considered on a deposit work basis, with funding of Rs 1.36 billion under the Sagarmala project of the Ministry of Ports, Shipping, and Waterways.

Furthermore, the Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI) has taken steps to replace the existing temporary bamboo bridge. Jadavpur University, Kolkata, has been assigned the task of studying, designing, drawing, and estimating costs for replacing the temporary bamboo bridge at Swarupnagar.

The Ministry of Ports, Shipping, and Waterways has been actively engaged in the development and modernisation of National Waterways, aiming to promote inland water transport as a cost-effective and eco-friendly mode of transportation. Shantanu Thakur, Minister of State for Ports, Shipping, and Waterways, inaugurated the dredging work at National Waterways 44 (Ichamati River) in West Bengal. During the event, Thakur stated that Prime Minister Narendra Modi had previously emphasised the significance of inland waterways in fuelling India's economic growth. Under his leadership, The Ministry of Ports, Shipping, and Waterways is dedicated to the unprecedented development of National Waterways. The dredging work from Tentulia to Kalanchi covering a distance of 23.38 km has commenced with the goal of achieving a navigational depth of 1.5 m (1.2 m + 0.3 m tolerance) and enhancing tidal influence in the river. A budget of Rs 30.77 million has been allocated for dredging and related expenses until March 2023, and further funding will be sanctioned for the fiscal year 2023-24 as required. Additionally, a higher capacity dredger will be deployed based on the results of this initial dredging. To improve navigability, various obstacles such as water hyacinth, weeds, plastic and non-plastic waste, natural and artificial materials (including dumped materials) were cleared from Tentulia (Ch 40 km) to Kalanchi (Ch 63.38 km). The quantity of dredging required was assessed in this process. In the first phase, the construction of the Taranipur bridge (Ch 61.9 km) is actively being considered on a deposit work basis, with funding of Rs 1.36 billion under the Sagarmala project of the Ministry of Ports, Shipping, and Waterways. Furthermore, the Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI) has taken steps to replace the existing temporary bamboo bridge. Jadavpur University, Kolkata, has been assigned the task of studying, designing, drawing, and estimating costs for replacing the temporary bamboo bridge at Swarupnagar.

Next Story
Infrastructure Transport

MMRDA advances 250 m on Orange Gate–Marine Drive tunnel

The Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) has completed 250 m of underground tunnelling for the Orange Gate–Marine Drive Urban Road Tunnel using India’s largest slurry shield tunnel boring machine (TBM) deployed for an urban road project.The project involves twin tunnels extending over 7 km beneath critical transport corridors, including Central Railway, Western Railway and Metro Line 3. The work requires high-precision engineering to navigate densely developed urban infrastructure.Once completed, the tunnel is expected to reduce travel time between Orange Gate and Marin..

Next Story
Infrastructure Urban

Hindustan Zinc Pays Rs 188.46 Billion in FY26

Hindustan Zinc contributed Rs 188.46 billion to the public exchequer in FY 2025-26, according to its 9th Tax Transparency Report. The contribution, equivalent to 46 per cent of the company’s revenue, included direct and indirect taxes, government royalties, dividends to the Government of India, withholding taxes and other statutory levies.The company’s five-year cumulative contribution to the exchequer stood at Rs 915.72 billion. In FY26, Hindustan Zinc reported revenue of Rs 408.44 billion, EBITDA of Rs 221.62 billion and profit after tax of Rs 138.32 billion. It also achieved its highest..

Next Story
Infrastructure Urban

World of Concrete India 2026 Opens in Mumbai

Informa Markets in India will host the 12th edition of World of Concrete India 2026 from 3–5 June 2026 at the Bombay Exhibition Centre, Mumbai. The specialised B2B exhibition will bring together manufacturers, suppliers, contractors, developers, architects, consultants, infrastructure companies, project leaders and government stakeholders.The event is expected to feature over 350 brands and more than 18,000 trade professionals. It will cover concrete and cement, dry mortar, precast technologies, formwork, construction chemicals, industrial and commercial flooring, scaffolding, safety solutio..

Advertisement

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Get daily newsletters around different themes from Construction world.

STAY CONNECTED

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement