📷 Image: Wikimedia Commons / Deepak das
National
Odisha and Centre Partner to Fast‑track 588‑km National Waterway‑5 Project
✍️ Pragativadi
🗓 04 Nov 2026, 01:31 AM
👁 15
The state government of Odisha and the Union government have agreed to accelerate the development of the 588‑kilometre National Waterway‑5, aiming to boost inland navigation and regional trade.
Odisha's state administration and the central government have formally pledged to speed up work on National Waterway‑5, a 588‑kilometre inland navigation corridor. The joint effort is expected to streamline project execution, reduce delays, and bring the waterway closer to operational readiness.
Officials said the partnership will focus on key actions such as expediting land acquisition, enhancing dredging operations, and upgrading terminal infrastructure along the route. By improving connectivity between major ports and hinterland markets, the waterway is projected to lower logistics costs for businesses in eastern India.
The collaboration reflects the government's broader push to develop inland waterways as a sustainable transport mode, complementing road and rail networks. Stakeholders anticipate that a faster rollout of Waterway‑5 will generate employment opportunities and stimulate economic activity in the region.
Officials said the partnership will focus on key actions such as expediting land acquisition, enhancing dredging operations, and upgrading terminal infrastructure along the route. By improving connectivity between major ports and hinterland markets, the waterway is projected to lower logistics costs for businesses in eastern India.
The collaboration reflects the government's broader push to develop inland waterways as a sustainable transport mode, complementing road and rail networks. Stakeholders anticipate that a faster rollout of Waterway‑5 will generate employment opportunities and stimulate economic activity in the region.