As per reports, six national waterways (NW) in Odisha have been found feasible for cargo and passenger transport following consultations with the government of Odisha on the basis of the techno-economic feasibility study and the detailed project reports.
- NW-5 has been deemed suitable for infrastructure development to facilitate coal evacuation from the Talcher coalfields and improve connectivity between the Pankapal industrial area and Dhamra and Paradip ports, with an annual cargo capacity of 30 million tonnes per annum (mtpa).
- NW-14 on the Baitarni river will include a floating jetty and navigational aids to promote river cruise tourism across the Bhitarkanika forest.
- The NW-22 (Birupa-BadiGenguti-Brahmani river) has been deemed technically and economically viable.
- NW-23 on the Buddhabalangar river system will be developed with essential infrastructure, including floating jetties at two locations and navigational aids, to promote river cruise tourism from Hidden Beach (Chandipur) to Balasore city.
- NW-64 on the Mahanadi river will be maintained to Class-VII standards, enabling the movement of 2,000 deadweight tonnage vessels.
- NW-96 on the Subarnarekha river will be equipped with floating jetties at three locations and navigational aids to support river cruise tourism from Pantei Ghat to Bichitrapur Mangroves, Husandeswara Temple (home to Asia’s largest Shivlingam), and the nearby Digha Sea Beach in West Bengal.