**Summary:**
This document summarizes the Indian government's response to Lok Sabha Unstarred Question No. 2105, concerning the development of National Waterway 48 (NW48). The Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways, through Minister Sarbananda Sonowal, stated that the Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI) has engaged the National Technology Center for Ports, Waterways & Coasts (NTCPWC), IIT Madras, to conduct mathematical modeling of the Jawai-Luni-Rann of Kutch River System, which constitutes NW48. Further action on the NW48 project, including the development of a port at Bakhasar in the Barmer district of Rajasthan, will be determined based on the results of this modeling exercise. The response does not provide a specific completion deadline for the NW48 project or elaborate on the strategic and economic importance of the proposed port at Bakhasar at this stage.
Key Entities Referenced
Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways: A ministry within the Government of India responsible for ports, shipping, and waterways.
National Waterway 48: A designated national waterway in India (NW48), the subject of development efforts.
SHRI SARBANANDA SONOWAL: The Minister of Ports, Shipping and Waterways.
Inland Waterways Authority of India: An autonomous organization under the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways.
National Technology Center for Ports, Waterways Coasts: An entity engaged by Inland Waterways Authority of India to carry out mathematical modelling.
IIT Madras: Indian Institute of Technology Madras, collaborating with National Technology Center for Ports, Waterways Coasts
Bakhasar, Rajasthan: A location in Barmer district of Rajasthan where the development of a port by constructing an artificial canal is proposed under the National Waterway 48 project.
Jawai LuniRann of Kutch River System: The river system related to National Waterway 48, being studied using mathematical modelling.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF PORTS, SHIPPING AND WATERWAYS
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2105
ANSWERED ON 01.08.2025
DEVELOPMENT OF NATIONAL WATERWAY-48
2105. SHRI RAO RAJENDRA SINGH:
Will the Minister of PORTS, SHIPPING AND WATERWAYS be pleased to state:
प(cid:517)न, पोत प(cid:303)रवहन एवं जलमाग(cid:330) मं(cid:361)ालय
(a) whether the Government has made any headway in the development of National
Waterway-48, if so, the details thereof;
(b) whether there is any deadline for the completion of the NW-48 project, if so, the
details thereof;
(c) whether any progress has been made in the scheme to develop a port by
constructing an artificial canal at Bakhasar in Barmer district of Rajasthan under the
National Waterway-48 project, if so, the details thereof; and
(d) the strategic and economic importance of the aforementioned port;
ANSWER
MINISTER OF PORTS, SHIPPING AND WATERWAYS
(SHRI SARBANANDA SONOWAL)
(a) to (d) Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI), an autonomous organisation
under the Ministry of Ports, Shipping & Waterways, has engaged National Technology
Center for Ports, Waterways & Coasts (NTCPWC), IIT Madras for carrying out
mathematical modelling of the National Waterway-48 (NW-48) (Jawai Luni-Rann of
Kutch River System). Further course of action will be based on the outcome of the
mathematical modelling.
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