December 21, 2015
Ratna De Nag speaks on the National Waterways Bill, 2015
Thank you for giving me the opportunity to speak on this bill, The National Waterways Bill, 2015. The Bill proposes to merge five existing Acts that have declared the five national waterways and proposes one additional waterway. It is important to note that the Bill specifies the extent of development to be undertaken in each waterway.
The Bill aims at repealing five Acts that have declared the five existing waterways. National Waterway 5, which is one of the six national waterways, covers a part of West Bengal. This waterway includes a 91-km stretch in West Bengal. The Standing Committee on Transport, Tourism and Culture in its report observed that the overall offices and organisational setup of the National Inland Waterways of India are not sufficient enough to undertake the task related to 101 additional waterways. There is a need to study overall organisational setup and offices if we really aim to benefit with the passage of the Bill. Another recommendation which our party, Trinamool Congress endorses is that a State-level water management committee with representatives from the State should be declared to oversee the development of waterways and resolve the issues at the State level.
Without any iota of doubt, the recommendations, if implemented, would go a long way in giving the States concerned a say in the process of development as the States know about their waterways. There is a need to go with caution as the subject of water, including irrigation and canals, is on the State List. Accordingly, a procedure should be there in the Bill to ensure that State scan continue to control all its water. This is most vital; otherwise there would be tensions between the States and the Centre. I would request the honorable Minister to clear the views of the ministry about the specific aspect which infringes on the power of the States. With the passage of the Bill, we can witness the development of the waterways and ensure that priority is given to the inland waterways. This would help the country to flourish in the years and decades ahead. This specific object of giving life and fillip to the waterways will definitely be a big event in the life of the waterways and give the young generation an eco-friendly environment, apart from other benefits.
Sir, 12 rivers in West Bengal have been identified to be included in the national waterways. I would mention a few – a stage of the Gnaga-Bhagirathi-Hooghly River, Ajoy River, Damodar River, Jalangi River, Subarnarekha River, Sundarbans Waterways. I would like to ask the honorable Minister, have the ministry consulted the States about these 12 rivers? There are many important places on both sides of the river Bhagirathi in West Bengal. They are Nabadwip, the birthplace of Chaitanya Dev and the main centre of ISKCON, both in Nadia district of West Bengal. Are there any plans of the ministry to develop these two places, as they have a lot of religious significance? Thousands of tourists, both from within our country and from abroad, visit our country. That is the reason why I would like to request the honorable Minister to consider connecting Kolkata with these two places through waterways.
I would like to state here that regular dredging of Ajoy River, Churni River, Ichhamati River (connecting India and Bangladesh), Aitri River (which finds a place in the Mahabharata) and Punarnabha River does not take place. Due to siltation and lack of regular dredging, floods visit almost every year affecting millions of people living along the rivers, resulting in loss of life and property worth crores of rupees. I would like to request the honorable Minister to look into these issues raised by me and implement solutions as quickly as possible. Sir, here I would like to mention that Chief Minister of West Bengal, Ms Mamata Banerjee has revamped ferry services along the river Hooghly, which has been appreciated by everyone.
With these words I conclude. I would again like to thank you, Sir.
