Uttar Pradesh to form Inland Waterways Authority

The Uttar Pradesh government plans to establish an Inland Waterways Authority to promote and regulate water transport in the state.To be set up on the lines of the Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI) established in 1986, the proposed statutory body will be known as the Inland Waterways of Uttar Pradesh with an independent office and infrastructure, said a government spokesman. The transport department, that is currently responsible for regulating water transport in the state, is scheduled to give a presentation on the proposal to the chief secretary by the end of the week before it is sent to the Cabinet for approval.L Venkateshwar Lu, principal secretary, transport, said, The government has decided to set up an Inland Waterways Authority in the state to promote and regulate passenger and freight transport in various rivers. A proposal in this regard will be sent soon to the Cabinet for approval.According to transport commissioner Chandra Bhushan Singh, the government will also enact a law to frame rules laying down powers and functions of the proposed body that will explore the possibilities of promoting water transport in rivers in the state.