Bhubaneswar: A high-level meeting at the state-Centre level on the development of National Waterway-5 (NW-5) was held here on Tuesday.
In a major push toward inland transport and port-led industrial growth, the meeting was co-chaired by Odisha Chief Secretary Anu Garg and Union Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways Secretary Vijay Kumar, and attended by industry stakeholders and departments of Odisha.
The ambitious 588-km project, designed to transform freight logistics across the region, comprises two primary stretches — a 332 km riverine section from Talcher to Paradip/Dhamra located entirely within Odisha, and a 256-km canal stretch from Dhamra to Geonkhali in West Bengal.
Currently in its final approval phase, NW-5 aims to provide seamless, cost-effective inland water connectivity for Odisha’s heavy mineral and industrial belts.
Tuesday’s interaction centred on coordination efforts between the Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI) and the Odisha government. State participation in execution and operations, land acquisition for terminal construction, hydraulic structures, statutory clearances and releasing water to maintain the required Least Available Depth (LAD) were discussed.
Stakeholders pointed out infrastructure prerequisites like the release of water for maintaining the Least Available Depth (LAD), development of Khalpal Navigational Lock, statutory clearances, construction and dismantling of bridges, last mile road connectivity and shifting of HT/LT lines.
Garg assured all necessary support from the state government for timely implementation of the Odisha portion of NW-5 and other key important projects for the state’s industrial development and promotion of cruise tourism.
