Bhubaneswar: The Union Secretary for Ports, Shipping & Waterways, Vijay Kumar reviewed the mertime projects in Odisha , here on Tuesday, in the presence of Chief Secretary Ms. Anu Garg. The high-level meeting waste also attended by industry stakeholders and government departments of Odisha.
The discussions focused on key upcoming projects, National Waterways-5 (NW5), the Bahuda Muhan Port, the Shipbuilding Cluster in Kendrapara district and the Cruise Terminal at Puri.
The NW5 of a total length of about 588 KM will be developed in two parts.. The First Part is called Riverine Section, stretches from Talcher to Paradip/Dhamra- 332 KM which is entirely in Odisha. The Second Part is Canal Section, stretches from Dhamra to Geonkhali (in West Bengal) which is about 256 KM. The project is presently under the approval phase.
The meeting facilitated discussions on the development of NW-5 and address pending issues requiring coordination between IWAI and the Government of Odisha. The discussions also covered State Government participation in implementation and operation of the projects, maintenance of assets, land acquisition, transfer for terminals and hydraulic structures. Other important issues include the release of water for maintaining the Least Available Depth (LAD), development of the Khalpal Navigational Lock, statutory clearances, construction and dismantling of bridges, last mile road connectivity and shifting of HT/LT lines.
Ms. Anu Garg, assured all necessary support from the State Government for the timely implementation of the Odisha portion of National Waterway-5 (NW-5) and other key projects critical to the State’s industrial development and promotion of cruise tourism.
