Bhubaneswar: The Talcher to Paradip and Dhamra stretch of National Waterway-5 (NW-5) is poised for significant progress, as confirmed by Usha Padhee, Principal Secretary of the Commerce and Transport Department. Speaking at the inauguration of a two-day international conference on Coastal and Inland Water Transportation, Padhee highlighted the advancements in the project, particularly focusing on the greening of the water transport sector.
“The Union Ministry of Shipping, Ports, and Waterways, along with the Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI), has completed the study and preparation of the Detailed Project Report (DPR), along with detailed design and engineering of cross structures on the waterways. Cost estimates have been finalized through IIT Chennai for the development of the Talcher to Paradip and Dhamra stretch of NW-5,” she stated.
The project will be executed under a Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) comprising the State Government, Ministry of Shipping, IWAI, Coal India Ltd., and Paradeep Port Trust. Padhee emphasized the importance of this collaboration in ensuring the successful implementation of the project.
During the seminar, the focus also shifted to the early development of the East Coast Canal System and its connectivity to NW-1, emphasizing the benefits of inland navigation as a sustainable transportation mode for the state’s economy.
Prominent speakers at the conference included Prof. R.P. Gokaran, former Head of the Department of Naval Architecture and Ocean Engineering at IIT Kharagpur, and Prof. Keshav Dev, Director of the Indian Maritime University, who provided valuable insights on the theme of the conference.
In his welcome address, UCCIL President Dr. Prabodh Kumar Mohanty underscored the seminar’s importance for industrial and state development. Prof. Suresh Mishra, President of the Forum for River and Ocean Scientists and Technologists (FROST), highlighted the need for green technology in marine transportation in Odisha.
The discussions during the conference centered on the sustainability of water transportation, particularly concerning small vessels operating in restricted river and coastal waters, with a strong emphasis on the greening of the sector. The event, organized jointly by UCCIL and FROST, took place in Bhubaneswar on October 18-19, showcasing a collective commitment to advancing sustainable water transport in the region.