After rail and sea routes, it is time to use river routes to help ease congestion and save time. And why not, given that a river link from Mumbai to Nagothana on the outskirts of the megapolis helps one reach in only 45 minutes, as against five hours taken by bus.
Thanks to its substantial water resources, the Inland Waterways Authority of India is drawing up ambitious plans to decongest Mumbai and Kochi using river assets.
Including Kochi and Mumbai port projects, 15 projects have been identified under the National Maritime Development Programme, which will need a total investment of Rs 10,500 crore (Rs 105 billion), of which Rs 2,300 crore (Rs 23 billion) will be sourced from private players.
IWAI is envisaging an alternative water route for cargo evacuation and passenger transportation from Mumbai to Nagothana, Bassein, Thane, Vashi, Belapur, Panvel and Kalyan.
"This will help in decongestion of Mumbai port and reduce the travel time for passengers. We are in talks with Maharashtra Maritime Board and Mumbai Port Trust for exploring inland waterways," said Susheel Kumar, vice-chairman, IWAI.
The distance from Mumbai port to Nagothana (an industrial town) is 97 km by road but only 57 km by riverways. The distance from Mumbai port to Panvel is 44 km by road but only 32 km by the inland waterway route (rail route is 68 km). The port is only 23 km away from Belapur by riverway, while it is 38 km by road.
"The plan is to connect various locations to Mumbai Port. We will soon make a Detailed Presentation Report on the proposed project and finalise investment details," Susheel said.
"Inland waterways ensure better fuel efficiency, with lesser damage to the environment. A 1000-tonne barge movement will mean taking 100 trucks off road. This system is working efficiently in Europe," said analysts.
IWAI is also planning to develop a river link connecting Kochi Port to Cochin International Airport using the Periyar and Udyogamandal Canal.
"We also have plans to convert the existing seven terminals on this river route into container freight stations to facilitate international trade arising out of the Vallarpadam International Trans-shipment Container Terminal near Kochi Port," he said.
Further, IWAI was finalising plans to connect land-locked states and the hinterlands of coastal states to ports through inland waterways.
"Uttar Pradesh, Bihar and the north-eastern states will be connected to Kolkata port through rivers. Madhya Pradesh will be connected by rivers to the west coast," Susheel said.
