74 | Annex - 1
19
No. Particular Remarks
1 Project need India has an extensive network of inland waterways which is currently
under-utilised for cargo. Less than 2% of cargo is moved this way,
compared to 45% in Europe. India wants to tap this huge potential
by developing six inland waterways. The National Waterway –
4 project is 1,095 km, with 888 km of that in Andhra Pradesh,
connecting Kakinada to Pondicherry through the Krishna river,
Godavari river, canals and tanks. It is the second longest waterway
of India and will help reduce the cost of freight transport in Andhra
Pradesh, as well as easing congestion on the roads and railways.
Around 11 million tons of cargo is expected to be transported
through the NW-4 every year, including coal, cement, fertiliser
and food grains (rice, wheat, cereals). These account for significant
road and rail traffic in Andhra Pradesh at present.
2 Anticipated project 2020
completion timeline
3 Approximate project cost Total cost - £151.5 million (₹ 15,150 million);
Andhra Pradesh section - £133.2 million (₹ 13,320 million)
4 Project details Construction of eight terminals at Kakinada, Rajahmundry, Eluru,
Kottapatnam, Maipadu, Dugarajupatnam, Vijayawada, and
Tadepalligudem. The project includes dredging and excavation to
develop a navigational channel, construction of terminals and
navigational locks, redesigning existing bridges etc.
5 Development and • Such projects are usually implemented through the
investment opportunity Engineering, Procurement and Construction (EPC) route.
• Inland waterways projects are capital intensive and long
gestation projects and hence would require concessional
and long term loan options
• The Government of India has accorded ‘Infrastructure’
status to inland waterways projects. This opens up access
to incentives such as a higher limit on external commercial
borrowing, lower lending rates, tax holidays, lower import
duties, and financial assistance from specialised institutions.
6 Employment generation 1,660 jobs
7 Implementing agency Inland Waterways Authority of India and the Government of
Andhra Pradesh
National Waterways