New Delhi/Bhubaneswar : To create a logistic supply chain with intermodal connectivity, the Centre on Wednesday included Mahanadi and Brahmani rivers and the East Coast Canal in Odisha among 101 inland waterways in the country as national waterways for navigation.

The decision was taken at the Union Cabinet meeting presided over by prime minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi.

The move is expected to contribute to the gross domestic product by opening up business opportunities in the areas of dredging, barge construction, barge operation, terminal construction, terminal operation, storage facilities and tourist cruise.

“Investment in all these business areas will create numerous opportunities for employment and economic development and reduce pressure from the already-overloaded, congested and costlier other surface modes of transport,” a release by the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) said.

Detailed business development studies are being carried out under the Jal Marg Vikas Project to identify all business opportunities and quantifying anticipated investments and employment opportunities.
Source : SunTimes