Odisha is set to construct Rs.12,000 crore inland waterway on the Brahmani river, linking industrial zones to Paradip and Dhamra ports. The primary objective of this initiative is to facilitate the smooth transportation of goods from four prominent industrial clusters to the Paradip and Dhamra ports. This ambitious plan outlines that the government will manage the infrastructure aspect using an engineering, procurement, and construction (EPC) model.
The creation of a special purpose vehicle (SPV) is in progress, a collaborative effort between Coal India (CIL), Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI), Paradip Port, and the Odisha government. This entity will be responsible for developing the necessary infrastructure to operationalise the National Waterway 5 (NW5). Already receiving an initial nod from respective company boards, the SPV emphasises the state’s commitment to the project.
The SPV partners’ contributions will align with the entity’s shareholding structure. Currently, NW5 transports 1 million tonnes of cargo annually, with projections to reach 12-14 million tonnes by 2030.
