On 13.02.2026, the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways answered Unstarred Question No. 2497 regarding National Waterway-5. SHRI RUDRA NARAYAN PANY asked if there had been any delay in the commencement of work on National Waterway 5, and if so, the reasons therefor; the time by which the said work is likely to be started; and the measures proposed by the Government to include the residents living along both sides of the said Waterway in the said project. According to the Minister of Ports, Shipping and Waterways, the Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI) has prepared a Detailed Project Report (DPR) for development of National Waterway-5 (NW-5). Based on the outcome of the DPR, the project for development of NW-5 from Talcher to Paradip/Dhamra is under consideration, and the work will be taken up after formal approval of the project. The development of the NW-5 project will create employment opportunities for the local population, reduce migration, provide alternative livelihood through commerce, transport, and allied activities, enhance per capita income, and promote inclusive economic growth and sustainable development in the region.
Key Entities Referenced
National Waterway-5 (NW-5): A waterway project for which the Ministry is providing information.
Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways: The primary ministry responsible for answering questions regarding waterway development.
Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI): The autonomous body under the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways responsible for preparing Detailed Project Report (DPR) for National Waterway-5.
Detailed Project Report (DPR): A report for development of National Waterway-5 (NW-5).
Talcher to Paradip/Dhamra: The specific stretch of NW-5 under consideration.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF PORTS, SHIPPING AND WATERWAYS
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2497
ANSWERED ON 13.02.2026
NATIONAL WATERWAY-5
2497. SHRI RUDRA NARAYAN PANY:
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 has been any delay in the commencement of work on National
Waterway 5;
(b) if so, the reasons therefor;
(c) the time by which the said work is likely to be started; and
(d) the measures proposed by the Government to include the residents living along both
sides of the said Waterway in the said project?
ANSWER
MINISTER OF PORTS, SHIPPING AND WATERWAYS
(SHRI SARBANANDA SONOWAL)
(a) to (c) Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI), an autonomous body under the
Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways, has prepared a Detailed Project Report
(DPR) for development of National Waterway-5 (NW-5). Based on the outcome of the
DPR, the project for development of NW-5 from Talcher to Paradip/Dhamra is under
consideration, and the work will be taken up after formal approval of the project.
(d)Development of the NW-5 project will create employment opportunities for the local
population, reduce migration, provide alternative livelihood through commerce,
transport, and allied activities, enhance per capita income, and promote inclusive
economic growth and sustainable development in the region.
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