Work on development of two inland waterways in Goa to begin from October: Nitin Gadkari

The work on development of two inland waterways in Goa will begin from October this year, Union Minister Nitin Gadkari said on Saturday.

"The Union Government will start work on two waterways Mandovi and Zuari rivers - after the monsoons. The work will start from October," Gadkari said.

The Union minister for shipping said dredging work for the waterways has already been undertaken at an estimated cost of Rs 115 crore.

The ministry has also drawn up a detailed project report for terminals along the inland waterways at various points including Betim, Brittona, Aldona, Corjuvem, Pomburpa, Durbhat, Old Goa, Panaji, Chorao and Ribander, he said.

"The approximate cost of construction of jetties and passenger terminals is Rs 100 crore," Gadkari said, adding ferry services would be introduced between Aldona to Panaji, Cortalim to Durbhat and Panaji to Vasco.

"By October we will start the work and it will take six to eight months to complete," he said.

Earlier in the day, he chaired a meeting of the Shipping Ministry officials on "targets for financial year 2016-17 and the next five years" here.

The Union Ministry is also conducting feasibility study on waterways through Chapora, Cumbharjua, Mapusa and Sal rivers in the coastal state, Gadkari said.