UP Inland Waterways Authority to be formed for expansion of Water Transport : CM Adityanath Yogi

LUCKNOW: Stressing that waterways transport will be expandedinthestate, UttarPradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath recently said an inland waterways authority would be set up in the Stateforthepurpose.

The Chief Minister discussed the development of waterways in the state at a high-level meeting and also gave necessary directions regarding thesettingupofUttarPradeshInland Waterways Authority, an official releaseissuedheresaid.

The expansion of waterways transport in Uttar Pradesh is progressing rapidly and the National WaterwayfromPrayagrajtoHaldiais operational, Adityanath said. There are immense possibilities for both passenger and cargo transportationininlandwaterwaysin thestate,whichneedstobeexpanded further,theChiefMinistersaid.

Adityanath said UP is a land of perennial rivers, with most rivers having sufficient water throughout the year. The formation of the inland waterways authority in the state should study the functioning of the

National Waterway Authority and similar systems in other states and presentrelevantproposals,hesaid.

The authority will function as a nodal authority coordinating with the Indian Inland Waterways Authority and it will regulate all activities relatedtoit,theCMsaid.

The Transport Commissioner of the state should be designated as the CEO of the authority and officials from departments related to finance, culture, irrigation, and forestry, among others, should be included as members,hesaid.