New Delhi. Five waterways have so far been declared as National Waterways (NWs). First three NWs i.e. NW – 1, 2 & 3 are being developed as per the projected requirement for shipping and navigation by providing basic transport infrastructural facilities. These include navigational channel with targeted depth and width for most part of the year, aids for day and night navigation and terminals at selected locations for berthing and loading/unloading of vessels.

Since substantial cargo is yet not being transported on NWs, not much revenue is generated/accrued on these NWs. Inland Waterways Authority of India however collects charges such as pilotage charges, berthing charges, storage charges as well charges for transporting cargo under demonstrative cargo services. During 2008-09 the revenue generated from these charges was Rs. 5.32 lakhs.

This information was given by the Union Minister of State for Shipping, Shri Mukul Roy in written reply to a question in Rajya Sabha today.