Mangaluru: Waterway project on Phalguni river gains momentum

Team Udayavani, Jul 17, 2023, 12:00 PM IST

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The waterway project for goods transportation on the Phalguni River in the port city of Mangaluru has gained traction. The final stage of preparation for this initiative is currently underway, with the Karnataka Water Transport Board overseeing the implementation.

The estimated cost of Rs 29 crores for the project is being shared equally by the Centre and State governments. The initial phase of development involves the construction of two jetties, namely at Bunder and Kuloor, at a cost of Rs. 16.40 crores.

Once the jetties are completed, the port department will invite tenders for roll-on/roll-off (ro-ro) vessels (barges), which will facilitate the transportation of vehicles to and from the port. The Karnataka Water Transport Board anticipates that the tender for the barge will be finalized during the jetty construction phase.

The advantage of utilizing the Phalguni River for cargo transportation lies in its depth, which does not necessitate additional dredging. A standard barge can navigate through the river’s 3-meter water depth, making it an ideal water route for cargo vehicles.

Potential benefits

By leveraging this new waterway, cargo lorries departing from Mangaluru Port and destined for Kuloor Highway are projected to experience substantial time and energy savings. Currently, the road journey takes approximately 45 minutes, impeded by city traffic. However, once the barge service is operational, the travel time is expected to be reduced to just 15-20 minutes. Officials highlight that this will not only result in time and fuel savings but also alleviate traffic pressure within the city.

Additionally, the waterway project presents opportunities for passenger transportation across different parts of the river, further enhancing the region’s connectivity. Comparatively, water transportation proves to be more cost-effective than road transportation, making it an attractive alternative for goods movement.

Further plans

Based on the effectiveness of the Gurupura River Waterway Project, the Karnataka Water Transport Board will be exploring the prospect of establishing a similar waterway on the Netravati River. If a jetty is constructed near the Netravati Bridge at Ullal or Jappinamogaru, it could significantly streamline goods transportation. This extension would allow vehicles from the port area to directly access the highway without having to pass through Mangaluru city.

Praveen Kumar, Assistant Executive Engineer (in charge), Department of Ports said that the process for the development of the Gurupura Waterway has already begun, and the process of obtaining environmental and Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) objection letters is currently in progress. Following the necessary approvals, construction of the jetties at the port and Kuloor will commence. A separate tender will be issued for the procurement of the barge, e added.