India okays bill to develop 11 rivers as transport routes

Indian parliament gave its nod to a bill to convert 111 rivers across India into National Waterways, one of which could see seamless transportation of cargo from India to Bangladesh.

The National Waterways Bill was passed by Rajya Sabha, on Wednesday, which was approved by Lok Sabha last year.

Indian Road Transport, Highways and Shipping Minister Nitin Gadkari said the passage of the much-awaited bill will boost the maritime trade and augment their economy.

He regretted that waterways had taken a backseat in India, with only 3.5 percent of trade being done through the mode there as against 47 percent in China, 40 percent in Europe, and 35 percent in Bangladesh.

"We are setting up three multi-model hubs including one in Sahibganj in Bihar and once completed, a cargo could directly go to Bangladesh from Indian states of Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh and states like Uttar Pradesh," he said.