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