New Delhi: The Centre is developing inland waterway infrastructure in Andhra Pradesh to promote river-based tourism, pilgrimage and local livelihoods, Union Minister for Ports, Shipping and Waterways Sarbananda Sonowal informed the Lok Sabha.
The Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI) has developed a Roll-on/Roll-off (Ro-Ro) terminal at Muktyala on National Waterway-4 along the Krishna river to facilitate Ro-Ro transportation.
IWAI also constructed and handed over four floating jetties to the Andhra Pradesh Tourism Development Corporation (APTDC) in 2024 to support tourism activities.
Further, work has been awarded for construction of another Ro-Ro terminal at Harishchandrapuram in Andhra Pradesh, along with the supply and installation of three floating steel pontoons to promote tourism activities in the Telangana region of the Krishna river.
The government is also working on expanding the inland waterway network along the Godavari. IWAI has entrusted the task of updating the Detailed Project Report (DPR) for National Waterway-4, covering the Godavari river stretches near Dharmapuri and adjoining areas.
The updated DPR is targeted for completion by March 2027. Further development initiatives will be taken based on its recommendations.
The government said the measures are aimed at strengthening inland water transport infrastructure while creating opportunities for tourism, pilgrimage and local economic activities along the river systems.