Project for development of National Waterway-4 launched

The union government has decided to take up development of the 37km stretch of the National Waterway-4 (NW-4) between Sholinganallur and Kalpakkam in South Buckingham Canal.

Launching the project, minister of shipping G K Vasan said the project involves dredging and excavation to deepen navigational channel, construction of three terminals and navigational locks, replacement of one existing bridge at Kelambakkam, and installation of navigational aids.

He said the government has sanctioned over Rs123 crore for the project, which is expected to be completed in two years.

The other stretches of the National Waterway-4, which covers the states of Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu and Puducherry, would also be taken up for development subsequently, he said.

NW-4 covers a total length of 1,078 km consisting of an integrated Kakinada-Puducherry canal systems with Godavari and Krishna rivers.

Inaugurating an office of the Inland Waterways Authority of India at the campus of the Indian Maritime University in Chennai today, the minister said the project will ease transportation problems in Chennai suburbs to a great extent besides promoting tourist movement to important tourist spots at Mahabalipuram and Puducherry.

The development of the South Buckingham Canal can also improve the drainage system during flood season in Chennai city.

The canal will be developed to make it suitable for safe navigation of cargo vessels up to 300 tonnes capacity for transportation of general cargo like food grain, fertilizers, building materials, etc.

The canal will also be suitable for movement of passenger and tourist vessels of higher capacity from Chennai to Mahabalipuram and in future up to Puducherry and vice-versa, he said, adding that construction of terminals have been planned at Shollinganallur, Mutukkad and Mahabalipuram with necessary facilities for cargo, passenger and tourist vessels.

Earlier addressing the 5th Shipping Conclave organised by the Southern India Chamber of Commerce and Industry Vasan said the maritime education and training has been another area of focus for the Shipping Ministry.

The aim is to develop quality trained manpower for the industry while at the same time opening another avenue for career to the youth of our country both in the domestic and international marine sectors, the minister said.