Bhubaneswar: The work on the stretch of the National Waterway 5 from Talcher to Paradip and Dhamra in Odisha will be taken up soon.
This was stated by Usha Padhee, principal secretary, Commerce and Transport department, while inaugurating a 2-day international conference on “Costal & Inland Water Transportation” in Bhubaneswar on Sunday.
“The Ministry of Shipping, Port, and Waterways, and Inland Waterways Authority of India have finalised the study and preparation of the DPR along with detailed design and engineering of the cross structures on the waterways along with the cost estimates through IIT Chennai for the development of Talcher to Paradip and Dhamra stretch of NW-5,” she said.
The project would be executed under the SPV (Special Purpose Vehicle) comprising the state government, Ministry of Shipping and IWAI, Coal India Ltd, and Paradeep Port Trust, she added.
The seminar deliberated with a special focus on the greening of the water transport sector. Besides, the development of NW-5, early development of the East Coast Canal System and its connectivity to NW 1 were emphasised to facilitate inland navigation for a green transportation.
Prof RP Gokaran, former head of the Department of Naval Architecture and Ocean Engineer, IIT Kharagpur and Prof Keshav Dev, Director, Indian Maritime University presented their perspectives on the theme of the conference.
UCCIL president Prabodh Kumar Mohanty, in his welcome address, explained the importance of the seminar for development of industry and the state. Prof Suresh Mishra, president FROST (Forum for River and Ocean Scientists and Technologists) spoke on requirement of green technology in the marine transportation in Odisha.
Speakers deliberated on the sustainability of water transportation in the restricted waters of rivers and coasts, particularly related to small vessels, with emphasis on greening the sector. The conference was organised jointly by the UCCIL and FROST.