In order to fast track the development of the inland waterways for transporting bulk cargo, the Prime Minister Office has pushed for private and public sector partnership. To begin with a series of agreements were initiated at a meeting of the inter ministerial co ordination committee.

According to an official statement issued, it was agreed that NTPC will provide long term cargo commitment for three million tonne of coal for Barh power project once all its five units are operational by 2016-17, while the execution of coal handling facility at Jogighopa and rail connectivity will be taken up under the Non Lapsable Central Pool of Resources scheme.

The statement said that “The initiative will harness potential of inland waterways in transporting bulk cargo such as coal, foodgrains, fertilisers, project cargo, fly ash, over dimensional cargo and containers at competitive cost for the public and private sector companies. Adequate use of waterways will also ease the burden on rail and road infrastructure.”

(Sourced from BL)