Govt keen to start ferry services in NE States

The government on Tuesday said it is keen to start inland waterways navigation and passenger transportation in North-Eastern states. Public sector company WAPCOS is preparing a model detailed project report for implementing projects for running low-cost ferry services in the inland waterways in these states, Shipping Minister Mansukh Mandaviya said in a statement.

"The Ministry of Shipping is keen to start inland waterways navigation and passenger transportation in the rivers in the North Eastern states of the country," he said. This model DPR can be adopted for quick implementation by the Inland Waterways Authority of India in consultation with the different state governments in the region, the statement said.

Mandaviya also said that inland waterways transport can be a game changer for the North Eastern states as land routes here are often long, circuitous and time consuming due to the difficult terrain. Besides bringing ease of movement, the waterways projects will also help generate employment locally, he said.