Lok Sabha Unstarred Question No. 2122, answered on 12.12.2025, addresses the development of National Waterway-104 in Andhra Pradesh. Shri Kesineni Sivanath asked the Minister of Ports, Shipping and Waterways about the development plan status, funds allocated and used, ongoing/completed projects, freight volume, and challenges for NW-104. Minister Shri Sarbananda Sonowal responded that the Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI) plans to develop NW-104 (River Tungabhadra) for river cruise tourism with a floating jetty at Sureskula barrage. No projects were sanctioned, and no funds were released; no cargo movement was recorded. Key challenges to operationalizing NW-104 include insufficient discharge, 10 check dams, 2 barrages without navigational lock and bridges with insufficient vertical clearance.
Key Entities Referenced
National Waterway-104: A waterway in Andhra Pradesh, specifically the River Tungabhadra, being considered for development
Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways: The Indian ministry responsible for the development of National Waterway-104
Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI): Autonomous organization under the Ministry of Ports, Shipping & Waterways involved in the development of National Waterway-104
Andhra Pradesh: The state where National Waterway-104 is located and the area of applicability for the information requested.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF PORTS, SHIPPING AND WATERWAYS
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2122
ANSWERED ON 12.12.2025
DEVELOPMENT OF NATIONAL WATERWAY-104 IN ANDHRA PRADESH
2122. SHRI KESINENI SIVANATH:
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) the current status of National Waterways development plan for NW-104;
(b) the total amount of funds sanctioned, released and utilised for the development,
dredging, navigational channel improvement, terminal construction and allied
infrastructure on NW-104 during the last five years, year-wise;
(c) the details of ongoing and completed projects for operationalising NW-104,
including terminals, jetties, river training works and multimodal connectivity facilities in
Andhra Pradesh;
(d) the total volume of freight/cargo moved on National Waterway-104 during the last
five years, year-wise and segment-wise within Andhra Pradesh; and
(e) whether the Government has identified any challenges in increasing freight
movement on NW-104 and if so, the details thereof along with the steps being taken to
address them?
ANSWER
MINISTER OF PORTS, SHIPPING AND WATERWAYS
(SHRI SARBANANDA SONOWAL)
(a) Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI), an autonomous organization under
Ministry of Ports, Shipping & Waterways intends to develop National Waterway (NW) -
104 (River Tungabhadra) for river cruise tourism by providing one floating jetty at
Sureskula barrage.
(b) to (d) No projects sanctioned and fund released for works at NW-104. As on date
no cargo movement is recorded in NW-104.
(e) The key challenges in making NW-104 operational are - non availability of
sufficient discharge, 10 check dams, 2 barrages without navigational lock and presence
of bridges with inadequate prescribed vertical clearance.
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