The Lok Sabha today passed the National Waterways Bill, 2015 by voice vote. The bill intends to declare 106 additional inland waterways as national waterways.After the inclusion of 106 additional inland waterways to the existing five national waterways, the total number of national waterways will go up to 111. <br/><br/>Replying to a debate on the bill, Shipping, Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari said the government has given high priority to the development of waterways. He said, there are 12 major ports in the country and 3 more will come up next year. <br/><br/>He said, waterways will help reduce the logistic cost of transportation of goods and ultimately lead to reduction in their price in the market.It will also help trade, industry, farmers, fishermen to carry on their profession easily.

The Lok Sabha today passed the National Waterways Bill, 2015 by voice vote. The bill intends to declare 106 additional inland waterways as national waterways.After the inclusion of 106 additional inland waterways to the existing five national waterways, the total number of national waterways will go up to 111. <br/><br/>Replying to a debate on the bill, Shipping, Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari said the government has given high priority to the development of waterways. He said, there are 12 major ports in the country and 3 more will come up next year.<br/><br/> He said, waterways will help reduce the logistic cost of transportation of goods and ultimately lead to reduction in their price in the market.It will also help trade, industry, farmers, fishermen to carry on their profession easily.