The Hindu Business Line : Patna, Haldia barge cargo service planned

THE Central Inland Water Transport Corporation (CIWTC), the public sector river transport company, is to shortly start fixed schedule sailings between Patna and Haldia on the National Waterway Number One (i.e. Ganga-Bhagirathi-Hooghly river system) for transportation of cargo by barges.

The Shipping Minister, Mr Shatrughan Sinha, will cast off the anchor at Patna on January 14, heralding the beginning of the service. The one at Haldia will be cast off the next day, Janaury 15, by Mr Shankar Narayan, Chairman of Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI). Thereafter there will be one sailing from both the places every 15 days.

The distance of 1,020 kms by the river route between Haldia and Patna (by road the distance is less than 700 kms) will be covered within 10 to 12 days, according to Mr P. Tayal, CMD of CIWTC.

"The vessels to be deployed for running the service being 20-year old cannot pick up speed at more than seven knot," he said pointing out that the night navigation too would not be possible over the entire stretch. "Night navigation is possible only over the 340-km long stretch between Triveni and Jangipur lock near Farakka Barrage," he said.

CIWTC has identified three of its vessels, each of 600 tonne capacity, for operating the service. While two of them will be deployed right now, the third one will stand by.

Asked if the entire stretch was navigable for operating regular cargo services by barges, Mr Tayal replied that IWAI had had the stretch dredged in past few months and at least trial runs had already been undertaken.

Interestingly, the cargo to be moved in the maiden runs is yet to be firmed up.