**Summary:**
This document summarizes the Indian Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways' response to Lok Sabha Unstarred Question No. 978, answered on July 25, 2025, regarding a proposed artificial canal and port project in the Bakhasar area of Barmer district, Rajasthan.
The Ministry, through Minister Shri Sarbananda Sonowal, stated that the Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI), an autonomous body under the Ministry, has engaged the National Technology Centre for Ports, Waterways and Coasts (NTCPWC), IIT Madras, to conduct mathematical modeling of National Waterway (NW) 48 (Jawai-Luni River and Rann of Kutch), which traverses Barmer district. The future course of action regarding the port project is contingent upon the results of this mathematical modeling.
The response indicates that a detailed report, technical survey, or time-bound implementation plan is pending, as the project's feasibility and subsequent steps are dependent on the outcome of the ongoing mathematical modeling study by NTCPWC, IIT Madras. The response also implicitly addresses potential technical, financial, environmental, or international obstacles by stating that further action awaits the modeling results.
Key Entities Referenced
Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways: The Indian government ministry responsible for ports, shipping, and waterways.
Lok Sabha: The lower house of the Parliament of India.
Bakhasar, Rajasthan: Area in Barmer district of Rajasthan, location of the proposed artificial canal and port project.
Barmer district of Rajasthan: District in Rajasthan where the Bakhasar area is located.
Sarbananda Sonowal: Minister of Ports, Shipping and Waterways.
Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI): Autonomous body under the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways.
National Technology Centre for Ports, Waterways Coasts (NTCPWC), IIT Madras: Organization engaged by IWAI for mathematical modelling of the waterway project.
National Waterway NW 48 Jawai-Luni River and Rann of Kutch: Waterway being studied as part of the artificial canal and port project.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF PORTS, SHIPPING AND WATERWAYS
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 978
ANSWERED ON 25.07.2025
ARTIFICIAL CANAL AND PORT PROJECT IN BAKHASAR
978. SHRI UMMEDA RAM BENIWAL:
Will the Minister of PORTS, SHIPPING AND WATERWAYS be pleased to state:
प(cid:517)न, पोत प(cid:303)रवहन और जलमाग(cid:330) मं(cid:361)ी
(a) whether there is any proposed plan to develop a port through an artificial canal
in Bakhasar area of Barmer district of Rajasthan;
(b) if so, whether the Government has prepared any detailed report, technical
survey or mathematical model with regard to this project and if so, the details thereof;
(c) whether the said report or study is still pending, if so, the reasons therefor;
(d) whether the Government is formulating any time-bound plan to prioritise and
expedite the implementation of the said project with a view to opening new doors of
development in Rajasthan in the future;
(e) if not, the reasons for said project not assuming concrete shape till now; and
(f) whether there are any technical, financial, environmental or international
obstacles in the implementation of this project, if so, the details thereof?
ANSWER
MINISTER OF PORTS, SHIPPING AND WATERWAYS
(SHRI SARBANANDA SONOWAL)
(a) to (f) Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI), an autonomous body under the
Ministry of Ports, Shipping & Waterways has engaged National Technology Centre for
Ports, Waterways & Coasts (NTCPWC), IIT Madras for carrying out mathematical
modelling of the National Waterway (NW) - 48 (Jawai-Luni River and Rann of Kutch)
which passes through Barmer district also. Further course of action will be decided
based on the outcome of mathematical modelling.
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