Parliament Question: Developing of River based Tourism

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF PORTS, SHIPPING AND WATERWAYS LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3432 ANSWERED ON 07.08.2026 DEVELOPING OF RIVER BASED TOURISM 3432. SHRI VAMSI KRISHNA GADDAM: Will the Minister of PORTS, SHIPPING AND WATERWAYS be pleased to state: प(cid:419)न, पोत प(cid:464)रवहन और जलमाग (cid:91) म(cid:287)ं ी (a) whether the Government proposes to examine the feasibility of developing river-based tourism, ferry safety measures and inland water transport facilities along the Godavari-linked regions near Dharmapuri and adjoining areas and if so, the details thereof; (b) whether the Government proposes to develop safe jetties, regulated ferry points, life jackets, rescue systems and riverbank facilities in the said region and if so, the details thereof; (c) whether the proposed initiatives are likely to promote tourism, pilgrimage and local livelihoods; (d) whether the Government proposes to coordinate with the Ministry of Tourism, the Ministry of Jal Shakti and the State Government for their implementation and if so, the details thereof, and (e) whether the Government has conducted any feasibility study in this regard and if so, the details thereof along with the timeline, if any, fixed therefor? ANSWER MINISTER OF PORTS, SHIPPING AND WATERWAYS (SHRI SARBANANDA SONOWAL) (a) to (e) The Government has developed Roll on-Roll off (Ro-Ro) terminal, Floating jetties and steel pontoons to promote tourism, pilgrimage and local livelihoods in Andhra Pradesh. Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI), an autonomous organization under the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways has developed a Ro-Ro terminal at Muktyala on National Waterway (NW)-4 (Krishna river) to facilitate Ro-Ro movement. IWAI has also constructed and handed over four (4) Floating jetties to Andhra Pradesh Tourism Development Corporation (APTDC) during the year 2024to facilitate the tourism activities. Further, the works for construction of Ro-Ro terminal at Harishchandrapuram in Andhra Pradesh and supply & installation of three (3) floating steel pontoons for promotion of the tourism activities in Telangana region of Krishna river (NW-4) have been awarded. IWAI has entrusted the work of updation of the Detailed Project Report (DPR) for the development of NW-4 which covers the Godavari river regions near Dharmapuri and adjoining areas, for outlining the contours of development of inland water transport facilities with targeted completion by March, 2027. Further course of action shall be taken, as per outcome and recommendations of the DPR. *****