At the India Maritime Week 2025 in Mumbai, a significant Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was established to operationalize National Waterway–5 (NW–5) and National Waterway–64 (NW–64) in Odisha. This agreement involves the Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI), the Government of Odisha, Paradip Port Authority, and Mahanadi Coalfields Limited (MCL), focusing on enhancing the state’s inland water transport infrastructure.
The initiative represents a planned investment of ₹12,200 crore, aimed at facilitating the transport of coal and other bulk commodities via inland waterways from the Talcher coalfields to Paradip and Dhamra ports. It promises to reduce logistics costs, alleviate pressure on existing transport corridors, and minimize carbon emissions, aligning with India’s Viksit Bharat @2047 vision for sustainable development.
A newly formed entity, the Inland Waterways Consortium of Odisha Limited (IWCOL), will manage the project, with IWAI overseeing planning and infrastructure development. The Government of Odisha will provide land and administrative support, while MCL will ensure cargo movement and connectivity. The Paradip Port Authority is tasked with promoting cargo handling via waterways.
According to officials, this collaborative effort will enable a sustainable inland water transport network in Odisha, fostering industrial growth, job creation, and enhanced logistics efficiency across eastern India.
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