Six
waterways in Goa have been declared as National Waterways (NWs) under the
National Waterways Act, 2016. These are :
i)
Mandovi
River (NW-68) – from Bridge at Usgoan to confluence of Mandovi River with
Arabian Sea at Reis Magos (41 km).
ii)
Zuari
River (NW-111) – from Sanvordem Bridge to Marmugao Port (50 km).
iii)
Chapora
River (NW-25) – from Bridge at State Highway No. 124 (1 km from Maneri village)
to confluence of Chapora river with Arabian Sea at Morjim (33 km).
iv)
Cumberjua
Canal (NW-27) – from Confluence of Cumberjua and Zuari rivers near Cortalim
ferry terminal to confluence of Cumberjua and Mandovi rivers near Sao Martias
VidhanParishad (17 km).
v)
Mapusa
River (NW-71) – from Bridge on National Highway – 17 at Mapusa to confluence
point of Mapusa and Mandovi Rivers at Porvorim (27 km).
vi)
Sal
River (NW-88) – from Orlim Deusa Bridge to confluence with Arabian Sea at Mobor
(14 km).
Development
of these waterways is undertaken through various measures including dredging
based on the recommendations in feasibility/ Detailed Project Reports (DPRs).
These reports for NWs on Mandovi and Zuari rivers have been completed. In order
to minimize the adverse impact of developmental works on the marine ecology,
if any, the recommendations
of detailed Environment Impact Assessment (EIA)/ Environment Management Plan
(EMP)/ Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) and Wild Life Clearance studies
commissioned for NW-68 and NW-111 would be taken into account.
This information was given
by Minster of State for Road Transport and Highways & Shipping Shri Pon. Radhakrishnan in a written
reply to a question in the Rajya Sabha today.
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UM/NP/AC