National waterways project from Kakinada to Chennai requires Rs 998 crore

Vijayawada: The national waterways project from Kakinada to Chennai needs Rs 998 crore initially for land acquisition and also expansion of canals in suitable depth and width for navigational purpose.

The AP water resources ministry submitted its report to the Inland Waterways Department for funds release to begin the works based on a study report which was completed recently.

The Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI) has completed hydrographic survey for revamping the navigation from Kakinada-Puducherry in the 1,078 kilometers stretch. As per study report, the IWAI recommended to launch 1,000 tonne capacity vessels under class three navigational standards.

But canals size should be 40 meters horizontal, 7 meters vertical and the minimum draft of 2.5 meters is required. Moreover, the construction of 10 four-lanes and 2 four-lanes and one foot over new bridges are needed on the way of the total project distance from Kakinada to Puducherry.

The study also says land acquisition is required along with government lands for constructing platforms and stock points. The IWAI is very keen to implement the project as early as possible and already it has launched the project office in Vijayawada.

In this backdrop, executive engineer of the project division submitted a report to the state government on the requirement for initiating the project. He said that nearly Rs 1,000 crore is required for all the works, including installing new locks and widening the canals.

The project implementation would help the entire canal system in Andhra Pradesh, says irrigation official M. Raja Rao. He said that the canal bunds could be maintained with greenery.