Highlighting various benefits of waterways, Union Minister for Shipping Nitin Gadkari has stressed on the need to improve waterways in the country to cut down the cost of logistics. He added that push for water transportation will boost the economy and tourism sector, with the development of the country’s 7,500-km-long coastline as a corridor for goods and passenger traffic.
Gadkari noted that use of waterways is a win-win situation as it will help in reducing pollution and help foreign and domestic tourists travel to their hotel by boats. Besides, he said that as a result of this, diesel consumption will also get reduced and people will enjoy another facet of tourism by travelling on water.
The Union Minister also said that use of waterways is economical, environmental friendly and needs better utilization and suggested that all hotels should be linked to waterways by creating jetties everywhere. He further highlighted potentials of tourism sector in generating employment, saying that 49 per cent of the capital investment is utilised for job creation in this sector.