Lucknow, July 27 (UNI) Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Thursday said that the expansion of waterway transport in UP is progressing rapidly under the guidance of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the national waterway from Prayagraj to Haldia is operational.

While discussing the development of waterways in the state in a high-level meeting, the CM said, "There are immense possibilities for both passenger and cargo transportation in inland waterways in the state and we need to further expand it."

He said that UP is a land of perennial rivers with most rivers having sufficient water throughout the year. "The state has a rich tradition of water transportation. There was a time when the Princess of Ayodhya traveled through waterways to South Korea. However, in course of time, the sector was neglected," he said.

Yogi said that there is a need for concrete efforts to promote the creation and development of waterways in the state and to utilise them for transportation and cargo movement. "Formation of the Inland Waterways Authority in the state should be considered by studying the functioning of the National Waterway Authority and similar systems in other states and presenting relevant proposals in this regard," he said.

He said that the authority will function as a nodal authority coordinating with the Indian Inland Waterways Authority. "It will regulate all activities related to inland waterway transport and tourism. The authority will ensure compliance with environmental and safety laws related to water transportation, as well as take responsibility for conducting hydrographic surveys and inspections for the development and better utilisation of waterways," he said.

The CM said that the authority should study and analyze data related to inland waterway traffic. "Scientific research should be conducted on inland water transportation, tourism, shipping and navigation activities. Technical training for stakeholders, officials and employees involved in inland water transportation should also be provided," he said.

He said that the Transport Minister should be appointed as the ex-officio Chairman of the UP Inland Waterway Authority, while a seasoned expert with extensive experience in the field of water transportation should be appointed as the Deputy Chairman. "The Transport Commissioner of the state should be designated as the CEO of the Authority," he said.

Yogi said that the officials from departments related to finance, culture, irrigation and forestry, among others, should be included as members. "Illegal mining or settlement should be strictly prohibited in the catchment areas of rivers. Vigilance is necessary in this regard. Channelisation and silt cleaning of rivers should be carried out in a timely manner," he said.

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