In response to Unstarred Question No. 2090, answered on 12.12.2025, regarding the operationalization of National Waterways 5 and 64, the Minister of Ports, Shipping and Waterways (Shri Sarbananda Sonowal) stated the following:
The Detailed Project Report (DPR) for National Waterways-5 and 64 is under finalization. The government proposes to evaluate the environmental, livelihood, and land acquisition impact along NW-5. The IWAI has already floated the tender for the Environmental Impact Assessment-Environment Management Plan-Social Impact Assessment (EIA-EMP-SIA), and the recommendations related to compliance of the laid down norms as prescribed by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change will be followed. The question references a Rs. 12,200-crore project to operationalize National Waterways-5 and 64 through the Inland Waterways Consortium of Odisha Limited (IWCOL).
Key Entities Referenced
National Waterways-5 and 64: Two specific national waterways that are the subject of a project to operationalise them, including terminal construction, dredging, and navigation system deployment.
Inland Waterways Consortium of Odisha Limited (IWCOL): Organization involved in operationalizing National Waterways-5 and 64.
Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways: The government ministry responsible for the project and answering questions about it.
Odisha: The state where the waterways are located and where environmental impact assessments are to be published.
Environmental Impact Assessment-Environment Management Plan-Social Impact Assessment (EIA-EMP-SIA): Environmental assessment process being undertaken for the project related to National Waterway 5 and 64.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF PORTS, SHIPPING AND WATERWAYS
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2090
ANSWERED ON 12.12.2025
OPERATIONALIZATION OF NATIONAL WATERWAYS 5 AND 64
2090. SMT. SANGEETA KUMARI SINGH DEO:
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 the Government has prepared a detailed implementation timeline for the
recently announced Rs. 12,200-crore project to operationalise National Waterways-5 and
64 through the Inland Waterways Consortium of Odisha Limited (IWCOL), particularly
regarding terminal construction, dredging requirements, and navigation system
deployment;
(b) the projected annual freight capacity, reduction in rail-road congestion, and expected
decrease in logistics cost for bulk cargo transported from the Talcher coalfields to Paradip
and Dhamra ports, Odisha under the new inland water transport corridor, if so, the details
thereof;
(c) the cargo commitment details, particularly the quantum assured by Mahanadi
Coalfields Limited (MCL) for ensuring viability of the waterways in the initial years, State-
wise and year- wise; and
(d) whether the Government proposes to evaluate environmental, livelihood, and land
acquisition impacts along NW-5 and NW-64 and publish district level assessments for
Odisha, if so, the details thereof?
ANSWER
MINISTER OF PORTS, SHIPPING AND WATERWAYS
(SHRI SARBANANDA SONOWAL)
(a) to (c) The Detailed Project Report (DPR) for National Waterways-5 and 64 is under
finalization.
(d) Yes, the Goverment proposes to evaluate the environmental, livelihood and land
acquisition impact along NW-5. IWAI has already floated the tender for the Environmental
Impact Assessment-Environment Management Plan-Social Impact Assessment (EIA-
EMP-SIA). The recommendations related to compliance of the laid down norms as
prescribed by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change will be followed.
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