The Cabinet has given its ‘in principle’ approval to the government to declare 101 rivers part of the national waterways network in the ongoing budget session. The government will now seek Parliament’s approval for the ambitious Sagarmala project.

At least a dozen smart cities and several coastal economic zones will come up under the ambitious Sagarmala project, which will help lift India’s GDP growth by two per cent.

The Sagarmala project envisages port-led development at the 12 major ports, as well as 1,208 islands identified for development as part of the project.

Rupees 4,000 crore has been allocated for the special economic zone at Jawaharlal Nehru Port Trust while coastal economic zone is in the offing at Kandla port, which has two lakh acre of land in its possession.

Advance technology will be used to make sure the river is navigable. The World Bank has approved an assistance of Rs 4,200 crore for the development of the existing five national waterways. It has advised the shipping ministry on the development of the inland waterways and the Clean Ganga mission.

The shipping ministry has appointed consultants for 55 rivers out of 101. The detailed project reports (DPRs) will be formulated once necessary approvals are in place.