State and Centre discuss development of Odisha's 588-km National Waterway-5
Odisha Chief Secretary Anu Garg and Union Secretary Vijay Kumar co-chaired a meeting in Bhubaneswar to coordinate the project's implementation.
A high-level state-Centre meeting was held in Bhubaneswar on Tuesday to discuss the development of National Waterway-5 (NW-5), according to Odisha Bytes.
The 588-km project includes a 332-km riverine section from Talcher to Paradip/Dhamra within Odisha and a 256-km canal stretch from Dhamra to Geonkhali in West Bengal.
The meeting was co-chaired by Odisha Chief Secretary Anu Garg and Union Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways Secretary Vijay Kumar, with industry stakeholders and state departments in attendance.
Discussions focused on coordination between the Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI) and the Odisha government regarding land acquisition, statutory clearances, and hydraulic structures.
Stakeholders highlighted requirements such as the development of the Khalpal Navigational Lock, shifting of HT/LT lines, and the release of water to maintain the Least Available Depth (LAD).
Garg assured all necessary support from the state government for the timely implementation of the Odisha portion of NW-5 and other projects for industrial development and cruise tourism.