KATHMANDU, 29 June 2017: South Asia Watch on Trade,
Economics and Environment (SAWTEE) organized an event to discuss the prospects
of inland waterways for transboundary connectivity here today. The experts
present at the National Policy Dialogue pointed out the urgent need of setting
up of an institution to govern water transport to develop navigation as an
alternative mode of transport.
The event which was organized to disseminate key findings of
the diagnostic study conducted under the “Expanding Tradable Benefits of
Trans-boundary Water: Promoting Navigational Usage of Inland Waterways in Ganga
and Brahmaputra Basins. The study attempts to identify gaps in policies and
institutional capacity for transboundary connectivity via waterways in
Nepal. In addition, the study evaluated the connection between existing
water transport services and impact on the livelihood of the locals and
possibility of using waterways for trade logistics in the Koshi and Gandak
River basins in Nepal.
A comprehensive feasibility study of the rivers to assess
navigability, upgrading existing traditional boating services at the rivers and
identifying the possibility of multi-modal transport system internally will be
the first step towards developing navigational services in Nepal, pointed out
Ms Dikshya Singh, research officer at SAWTEE. While pointing out the
developments related to development in inland waterways in India, Policy
Analyst at CUTS International, Dr Saurabh Kumar explained that India has
already started the construction of multi-modal terminals at Varanasi (Uttar
Pradesh), Sahibganj (Jharkhand) and Haldia (West Bengal) on the Ganga
River,known as National Waterway and which is expected to divert the
freight traffic from Haldia port.
Dr Posh Raj Pandey, chairman of SAWTEE also urged the policy
makers to take advantage of India’s aggressive push into inland waterways b y
developing navigation within Nepal so that Nepal could be ready to access the
high seas through the waterways.
During the interaction, Mr Ajay Dixit, executive director of
Institute for Social and Environmental Transition (ISET-Nepal), said that
domination of political economy of automobile and surface transport in Nepal
has stunted development of alternative mode of transport. He also added that
commercial navigation may be possible in the lower stretch of the large rivers.
But that too would require massive river engineering, be it constructing
embankment or canalizing the river.
Water resources expert, Dr Dwarika Nath Dhungel recalled
that attempts were made to develop multi modal transport system to connect
hilly areas two decades ago but impetus on road construction diverted the focus
to surface transport only. He pointed out a need of conducting a study to gauge
how complementary is the water transport to surface transport –especially in
terms of long haul transport.
Mr Madhav Belbase, joint secretary, Water and Energy
Commission Secretariat, pointed out that not only a dedicated body to govern
navigation, Nepal also lacks expertise in water transport. He added that
Nepal’s water resource is dependent on the rains during four months of monsoon.
If we consider commercial navigation then maintaining depth and channel is
crucial so without constructing dams, we cannot expect to develop a waterway,
he said.
While pointing out how the inland navigation could
facilitate trade, transport logistics expert and former president of Nepal
Freight Forwarders Association Mr. Rajan Sharma admitted that water transport
is considered to be the cheapest form of transport but movement on water may be
less but cost of insurance and liabilities coverage and cargo handling at
harbor adds to the cost of trading. Considering the cost of transporting cargos
through river for landlocked countries like Nepal, cost of freight movement
depends on the transit providing country as well, he added.
The event saw participation of about 30 experts
representation government agencies, private sectors and experts working in the
water resources in Nepal.
Programme Agenda
Background Note
Event Report
Presentation:
Ms. Dikshya Singh, Research Officer, SAWTEE
Key
Findings of Diagnostic Study on Inland Waterways in Nepal
Presentation:
Dr. Saurabh
Kumar, CUTS International
Expanding
Tradable Benefits of Trans-boundary Water: Promoting Navigational Usage of
Inland Waterways in Ganga and Brahmaputra Basins
Media Coverage
