(a) whether the water-way from Allahabad to Haldia in river Ganga is being used by steamers and boats for sailing;
(b) if so, whether Government have formulated any scheme excavate this river to deeper and increase the flowing capacity of the river;
(c) if not, the reasons therefor alongwith the average depth of river Ganga from Allahabad to Haldia; and
(d) the depth required for smooth sailing of big boats and steamers?
MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF SURFACE TRANSPORT (SHRI HUKUMDEO NARAYAN YADAV)
(a) to (b) Yes, Sir. Mechanically propelled vesels of Central Inland Water Transport Corporation Limited and the Inland Waterways Authority of India and sailing boats operate in the river Ganga. From Haldia to Allahabad, river Ganga has been declared as National Waterway No.1. Between Haldia and Farakka, Least Available Depth(LAD) of 2 meters is maintained and vessels of 1.8 meters draft ( about 600 Tonnes capacity) can operate in this stretch round the year. Similarly, between Farakka and Patna, LAD of 2 meters is maintained for about 300-330 days in a year . The stretch between Patna and Allahabad is navigable for about 5 months of the year. Schemes have been formulated for conducting bandalling and dredging to provide the required 2 meters LAD for 330 days in navigational channel upto Allahabad.
(c) Does not arise.
(d) Taking into account the available discharge of water and hydro-morphological conditions and the dredging volume, the required depth for operation of vessels of 600T capacity and 1.8 meters draft upto Allahabad is 2 meters.