Organizations:
- Planning Commission (Coordinator)
- Ministry of Water Resources;
- Ministry of Surface Transport;
- Inland Waterways Authority of India;
- Central Water Commission
2. Indira Gandhi Nehar is one of the most ambitious projects recently taken up, expected to open a vast economic hinterland. A comprehensive study should be taken up for examining navigation possibilities, with findings of Chapter 7 being treated as a starting point.
Organizations:
- Ministry of Water Resources;
- Ministry of Surface Transport;
- Inland Waterways Authority of India;
- Central Water Commission
- Consultancy organizations with relevant expertise.
3. The earlier studies on Narmada canal system were limited to the stretch up to Sabarmati. Partly this seems to be necessitated due to large barge size (over 2000 T) required for coal transportation. The great volume of such a cargo, and size of these vessels seem to have posed major technical problems with uneconomical solutions. As per the findings in Chapter 7, this needs to be re-examined for operations at a lower levels, which are more cost effective, using Class I or Class II vessels.
Organizations:
- Ministry of Water Resources;
- Ministry of Surface Transport;
- Inland Waterways Authority of India;
- Central Water Commission
- Narmada Planning Group/irrigation Department, Government of Gujarat;
- Consultancy organizations with relevant expertise.
4. Based on the navigability criteria developed in Chapter 6,18 canal stretches provide potential for adaptation for Navigation (vide last row of Table 5.4). These should be taken up for detailed examination.
Organizations:
- Ministry of Water Resources;
- Ministry of Surface Transport;
- Inland Waterways Authority of India;
- Central Water Commission
- Consultancy organizations with relevant expertise.
5. Country boats ply in certain regions of the country like Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal (especially Sunderbans), Kerala, Andhra Pradesh etc. This is a local low investment expertise historically developed. Though often not in a position to offer direct competition to alternative modes of transport, they cater for a specific class of users. The canals falling in these regions should be examined for use by country craft too, which are technically less demanding on the restricted waterways. .
Organizations:
- Ministry of Water Resources;
- Ministry of Surface Transport;
- Inland Waterways Authority of India;
- Central Water Commission
- Irrigation departments of concerned states;
- Consultancy organizations with relevant expertise.
6. Broad standardization should be effected by developing a range of ‘modules’ for use in designing and examining navigation in restricted waterways. An illustrative list of modules is:
i. infrastructure like jetties, and shore based facilities;
ii. vessels;
iii. navigation aids;
iv. road and rail bridge clearances and related structures;
v. locks for various level differences and vessel sizes: etc.
For each module, suitability, typical design ranges, economics and suppliers (wherever applicable) should be worked out, and updated at regular intervals. These modules may need modification from case to case basis, but would provide valuable starting point for experts as well policy makers.
Organizations:
- Ministry of Surface Transport;
- Inland Waterways Authority of India;
- Central Water Commission
- Consultancy organizations with relevant expertise.
7. Country craft have evolved over a period of time with the local economy, using largely local skills and materials along India’s natural and man-made waterways. No database, policy frame or standards exist regarding their operation in India. There use in mechanized/unmechanized form would be of considerable interest from the point of view in navigation in irrigation canals. Comprehensive studies need to be undertaken in this regard.
Organizations:
- State Governments (Especially Assam, UP, Bihar, West Bengal, Kerala, Andhra Pradesh)
- Ministry of Surface Transport;
- Inland Waterways Authority of India;
- Central Water Commission
- Consultancy organizations with relevant expertise.
