National Waterway-2Re-activation and Re-energizing

(Proposed Action Plan)

Preview

• Introduction • Facts and Characteristics • Analysis • A Way Ahead • Recommended Approach

Introduction

Utilisation Waterways: Comparison

% of total goods moved by

India China United States

Road 57% 22% 37%Rail 36% 47% 48%Waterways 6% 30% 14%

Facts & Characteristics

Brahmaputra to the east of Nyingchi

Brahamaputra River : Facts

Transboundary river of Asia: China, India, Bangladesh

Length : 2850km and the area is 651 km2

Origin of the river in Tibet

Merges with the Ganges river :

world’s largest delta

National Waterway -2

• Brahmaputra from Dhubri to Sadiya was declared as National Waterway2 on 1988 by IWAI.

• From Dhubri to Sadiya, the waterway extends for a distance of 891Km.

• River Brahmaputra flows down the centre of Assam Valley

• Bangladesh Border-Pandu waterway - 255Km, • Pandu– Neamati - 139Km • Neamati– Dibrugarh - 139km • Dibrugarh- Oriumghat - 92km

Analysis

Challenges

Awareness of the vast potential and opportunities in the waterways sub- sector is very low by the general public.

Bank Erosion. Coordination of Funding; Private patronage

is very low in acquisition of modern vessels; Dynamic nature of the rivers. Cargo generation;

Issues: Waterways Sustainability

• Existing Depths• Maintained Depths / LAD• Criticality for Navigation – Width of fairway, Turning radius, current strength, anchoring, shoals etc• Bottlenecks and constraints

National Waterways

• Locations, Size and availability• Hinterland connectivity• Ancillary and support facilities• Navigation Facility - Tugs, pilots, mooring boats

Port and Terminals

• Loading and Unloading facilities• Requirement of equipment and facilities• Human Resource, Labour rates, • Advantages and Potential threats

Cargo Handling

Issues: waterways sustainability

• Size, Type, suitability and availability• Draft, Capacity and SWOT• Optimum capacity, Availability and operators • Techno-economic feasibility

Inland Vessels

• Existing policy and legal framework• Bi lateral co-ordination, authority and roles• Charges, duties, taxes and Fees• Recommended Solution

Legal Framework

• Managers and Operators• Inland vessel crew• Existing scenario• Human resource and training requirements

Human resource

Existing trade patterns

• Cargo Movement • Bulk, break bulk, ODC • Organised and unorganised sector

• Passenger and Ferry Movement• Organised and unorganised

• Tourism Industry • Mainly unorganised

• Local Logistics Services and supply chain• Mainly unorganised

Major Identified CargoIdentified Route Nature of cargo

Kolkata- Pandu Coal, Bitumen, Iron and steel Pandu- Kolkata Gypsum, Tea, Coal Jogighopa- Kolkata Coal (Meghalaya)

Tezpur- Kolkata Tea

Dibrugarh- Kolkata Tea

Silghat- Budge Budge POL Namrup UreaBongaigaon refinery RP coke

A Way Forward………

Windows of Opportunities for Investment Integrating rural communities.Dockyard services/management.Cargo barges and work boats

construction. Tanker barges construction for fuel

transportation and storage Passenger and Bulk cargo ferry services;Tourism and hospitality service delivery;Establishment of private ports and jetties;Concessioning of inland river ports/ jetties

Infrastructure Requirement• Fairway• LAD, Marine Highway, Width, Sheltered Anchorages, Navigation Aids, RIS

• Ports and Terminals• Fixed/floating jetties at Dibrugarh, Sadiya and Dhola• Warehouse facilities, road / rail connectivity

• Cargo Handling Facilities• Cargo handling crane, Stevedoring, Ro-Ro landing facility

Cargo Vessels

Failure of CIWTC is perhaps the biggest set back for IWT in NER

IWAI has 2/3 cargo vessels for demonstrative voyages only IWT Directorate, Assam also has some cargo vessels but now

virtually defunct Private operators consider investment in vessels too risky -

lack of assured cargo; uncertainties surrounding Indo- Bangladesh Trade & Transit Protocol

Human Resource

National Inland Navigation Institute (NINI),Patna is the probably one institute which can develop the required competence and skills in IWT sector.

Real shortage of skilled and non-skilled personnel in the sector.

Competent vessel crew (Cargo, Dredgers, Survey vessels). Skilled personnel for operating ports and terminals. Infusion with logistics and supply chain managers.

RECOMMENDED APPROACH

Proposed Actions

• Take up a case with GOI to have mandatory move of percentage of cargos through waterways .

• Take up a case with GOI to have training courses in ITI on waterways training .

• Take up a case with Assam Govt to develop infrastrature related to waterways.

Proposed Actions

• Meeting with Power Developers and other players (all stake holders).

• Proactive approach on publicity through electronic media.

• Assist in clearances of permit/license or any other statutory clearances.

• Assist in financing to operators.

• • Joint Development arrangements like ground leases, operational-

cost sharing

2014-2015 Construction of floating Jetties at following Places: a) Dibrugarh b) Dhola c) Sadiya Acquisition of floating Cranes for Pandu, Dibrugarh

& Dhola/Sadiya ( Recommended 4 Nos.) Develop Guwahati & Dibrugarh as a major Sports

Centre for Rowing and Boating Proactive approach for publicity using Electronic

media and internet.

2014-2015 (Cont..) Indentify prospective JV partners to undertake the

infrastructure facilities like Barges, Cranes, Jetties, etc.

Acquisition of old Barges from Goa

Activate Dredges to increase the draft to 2 mtr from Dibrugarh to Sadiya

2015-2016

Acquisition of additional Dredges to address the issue of grounding

Establish Night Navigation System up to Sadiya

Establish repair and maintenance system at Guwahati, Dibrugarh & Sadiya

Construction of approach roads to Ports/ Jetties

2015-16

Construction and Creation of Parking places near ports and for free movement of Barges

Coordination with Bhramaputra Board for repair of Banks and fixing of navigable channel

Organise National level water sports at Guwahati