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{{Short description|Long waterway in India}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=June 2020}}
{{Use Indian English|date=December 2012}}
{{Infobox waterway
| name = National Waterway 4 (NW-4)
| image= India's_NW-4.png
| caption=
| location= [[Kakinada]], [[Chennai]], [[Puducherry (union territory)|Puducherry]]
| coordinates=
| opened=
| length= 1095 km
| north_end=
| south_end=
| terminals= 15
| owner= Inland Waterways Authority of India [[Inland Waterways Authority of India|(IWAI)]]
| operator= Central Inland Water Transport Corporation [http://ciwtcltd.com/index.htm (CIWTC)]
}}
[[File:Buckingham Canal near KL University.JPG|thumb|300px|Buckingham Canal in [[Andhra Pradesh]].]]
'''National Waterway 4 (NW-4)''' is a {{convert|1095|km|mi}} long [[waterway]] in [[India]]. It has been declared as an [[Inland Waterways Authority of India#National Waterway 4|Indian National Waterway]] and is currently under development. It connects the Indian states of [[Telangana]],<ref name=Telangana>{{cite web|title=Gazette Notification of commencement, Formation of Telangana|url=http://www.egazette.nic.in/WriteReadData/2014/158365.pdf|publisher=Government of India|access-date=27 March 2015}}</ref><ref name="nw4">{{cite news|last1=Kumar|first1=V Rishi|title=A ₹3,000-crore makeover for Buckingham Canal|url=http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/economy/logistics/a-3000crore-makeover-for-buckingham-canal/article8500129.ece|access-date=15 May 2017|work=The Hindu Business Line|date=20 April 2016|language=en}}</ref> [[Andhra Pradesh]], [[Tamil Nadu]], and the [[union territory]] of [[Puducherry (union territory)|Puducherry]]. The NW-4 runs along the [[Coromandal Coast]] through [[Kakinada]], [[Eluru]], Commanur, [[Buckingham Canal|Buckingham]] Canals and also through part of [[Krishna River|Krishna]] and [[Godavari River|Godavari]] rivers in [[South India]]. It was declared a National Waterway on 24 November 2008 under the Provisions of National Waterways Bill, 2006.<ref name="cqqwsI">{{cite web | url= http://shipping.nic.in/writereaddata/mainlinkfile/File337.htm | title= National waterways Declaration | author= Ministry of Shipping (Government of India) | access-date= 5 August 2010 | url-status= dead | archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20090619064032/http://shipping.nic.in/writereaddata/mainlinkfile/File337.htm | archive-date= 19 June 2009}}</ref> It is being developed by the [[Inland Waterways Authority of India]] (IWAI),<ref name="mmmloa">{{cite web | url= http://pib.nic.in/release/release.asp?relid=63957 | title= Development Authority for Inland Waterways in India | author=Press Information Bureau, Government of India (2 August 2010) | access-date=5 August 2010}}</ref> and was scheduled for completion by 2013. The National Waterways Act, 2016 has extended the length of NW-4 from {{convert|1095|km|mi|abbr=on}} to {{convert|2890|km|mi|abbr=on}} by connecting the Krishna and Godavari Rivers.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://pib.nic.in/newsite/PrintRelease.aspx?relid=171321|title = Vice President to lay foundation stone for the development of Muktyala to Vijaywada stretch of Krishna River}}</ref> The Project would be undertaken in 3 phases with first phase beginning in October, 2017 and to be completed by June, 2019<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.livemint.com/Politics/wc7R9iHwZ9Ot7fLgl2k1cK/Venkaiah-Naidu-lays-foundation-stone-for-National-Waterway4.html|title=Venkaiah Naidu lays foundation stone for National Waterway-4 in Andhra Pradesh|date=4 October 2017}}</ref>

==History==
[[File:National Waterways of India.PNG|thumb|left|180px| Map showing all the National Waterways in India]]

=== National waterways in India ===
In India, the national waterways are developed by the [[Government of India|central government]] through the [[Inland Waterways Authority of India]] (IWAI) – the regulatory body for the Inland Waterways Transport (IWT) sector.<ref name="loitent">{{cite web |url=http://business.gov.in/infrastructure/inland_water.php |title=National Level Infrastructure, Maritime Transport |author=Business.Gov.in Government of India |access-date=5 August 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100324125247/http://business.gov.in/infrastructure/inland_water.php |archive-date=24 March 2010 |url-status=dead }}</ref> IWAI was set up by the Inland Waterways Authority of India Act in 1985 and given responsibility of development, maintenance, and regulation of national waterways in the country. It is a statutory autonomous body for regulating and developing navigation and shipping in the inland waterways. Along with IWAI, Central Inland Water Transport Corporation (CIWTC) also supports the IWT sector through transportation of cargo via inland waterways and the operation and maintenance of the vessels and waterway terminals.<ref name="unasdfloa">{{cite web |url=http://pib.nic.in/release/release.asp?relid=25954 |title=Development Authority for Inland Waterways in India |author=Press Information Bureau, Government of India (15 March 2007) |access-date=5 August 2010}}</ref> The first national waterways established in India were the NW-1,2 & 3 (est. in mid 1980s & 1993). They have a combined length of {{convert|2716|km|mi|abbr=on}}.

===Development of NW-4, 5, and 6===
As early as 1993–95, IWAI commenced studies for developing an integrated canal linking Kakinada and Chennai. The Indian government initiated the process for developing three more national waterways in 2005.<ref name="cvbwtI">{{cite web |url=http://www.financialexpress.com/news/three-new-national-waterways-on-anvil/141383/ |title=Three new national waterways on anvil |date=14 July 2005 |publisher=Financial Express (14 July 2005) |access-date=5 August 2010}}</ref> In July 2006, [[T. R. Baalu]], the Minister of Shipping, Road Transport and Highways announced the proposal for development of NW-4 in the [[Lok Sabha]].<ref name="vnipI">{{cite web |url=http://pib.nic.in/release/release.asp?relid=19092 |title= Development of National Waterways |publisher=Press Information Bureau, Govt of India (26 July 2006) |access-date=5 August 2010}}</ref> In addition to the three existing national waterways, the government also declared the following inland waterways as national waterways:

{|cellpadding="2" cellspacing="0" border="1" style="float:right; border-collapse:collapse; border:2px white solid; font-size:x-small; font-family:verdana;"
|-
|style="background:#659ec7; color:black;"|<div class="center">'''Lengths of Individual Stretches (NW-4)'''</div>

{| cellpadding="2" cellspacing="0" border="1" style="background:white; border-collapse:collapse; border:1px #666633 solid; font-size:x-small; font-family:verdana;"
! style="background-color:#E9E9E9"|Stretch !! style="background-color:#E9E9E9"|Length (in km)
|-
| align=left|Kakinada canal || align="right"|50
|-
| align=left|Eluru canal || align="right"|139
|-
| align=left|Krishna River section || align="right"|157
|-
| align=left|Godavari River section || align="right"|171
|-
| align=left|Commamur canal || align="right"|113
|-
| align=left|North Buckingham canal || align="right"|316
|-
| align=left|South Buckingham canal || align="right"|110
|-
| align=left|Marakkanam-[[Pondicherry (city)|Pondicherry]] section || align="right"|22
|-
| align=left|Total || align="right"|1,095
|}
|}

* '''NW-4''': [[Kakinada]]-[[Pondicherry (city)|Pondicherry]] canals along with [[Godavari River|Godavari]] and [[Krishna River|Krishna]] rivers ({{convert|1095|km|mi|abbr=on}})
* '''NW-5''': East Coast Canal along with [[Brahmani River|Brahmani river]] and [[Mahanadi River Delta|Mahanadi delta]] ({{convert|623|km|mi|abbr=on}})
* '''NW-6''': [[Barak River#Barak|River Barak]] ({{convert|152|km|mi|abbr=on}})

The proposals were made into law with the passage of [[The Inland Vessels (Amendment) Bill, 2005]] in 2007.<ref name="lkasgzqqtI">{{cite web |url=http://www.indianexpress.com/news/House-clears-Inland-Vessels-Bill/213563/| title= House clears Inland Vessels Bill |work=The Indian Express|date=31 August 2007 | access-date=5 August 2010}}</ref> In October 2008, another bill – the National waterways Bill, 2006 – was passed in Parliament. It declared the [[Kakinada]]-[[Pondicherry (city)|Pondicherry]] stretch of canals comprising the Kakinada canal, [[Eluru]] canal, Commamur canal, [[Buckingham Canal|Buckingham canal]], the [[Kaliveli Lake|Kaluvelly tank]], [[Bhadrachalam]]- [[Rajahmundry]] stretch of rivers [[Godavari]], Wazirabad-[[Vijayawada]] stretch of [[river Krishna]] in [[Telangana]],<ref name=Telangana /> [[Andhra Pradesh]], [[Tamil Nadu]], and [[Puducherry (union territory)|Puducherry]] as national waterways.<ref name="lbbnqtI">{{cite web |url=http://news.outlookindia.com/item.aspx?624175 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130131122207/http://news.outlookindia.com/item.aspx?624175 |url-status=dead |archive-date=31 January 2013 |title=Lok Sabha passes National Waterways bills |publisher=Outlook India |date=23 October 2008 |access-date=5 August 2010 }}</ref><ref name="liqqqpodftI">{{cite web |url=http://pib.nic.in/release/release.asp?relid=25953&kwd=national+waterway |title=National Waterways bills |publisher=Press Information Bureau, Government of India |date=15 March 2007 |access-date=5 August 2010}}</ref> It will take seven years and {{INRConvert|1515|c|year=2009}} for the completion of the proposed new national waterways.<ref name="IndiaWRIS-NW4">{{cite web |url=http://www.india-wris.nrsc.gov.in/wrpinfo/index.php?title=National_Waterways-4 |title=National Waterways-4 |date=28 November 200 |access-date=10 August 2016 |publisher=Water Resource Information System of India }}</ref> The national waterway will be owned by [[Inland Waterways Authority of India|Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI)]] and will be operated by Central Inland Water Transport Corporation (CIWTC)

==Course==
{{National Waterway 4 (India) map}}
The National Waterway NW-4 comprises nearly {{convert|690|km|mi|abbr=on}} of [[canal]] and {{convert|328|km|mi|abbr=on}} of river sections. In turn, the river section of the NW-4 comprises two major sections:
* [[Godavari River|Godavari River section]]
* [[Krishna River|Krishna River section]].

The Godavari River section stretches from [[Bhadrachalam]], [[Telangana]] to [[Dowleiswaram]], [[Rajahmundry]], [[Andhra Pradesh]]. The Krishna River section stretches from Wazirabad [[Nalgonda district]], Telangana to [[Prakasam Barrage]], [[Vijayawada]], Andhra Pradesh.

The canal section of NW-4 is formed by a combination of the Kakinada canal, the [[Eluru]] canal, Commamur canal, and the [[Buckingham Canal|Buckingham canal]]. The Kakinada canal runs between [[Kakinada]] and [[Rajahmundry]] for a length of {{convert|50|km|mi|abbr=on}}. Starting from [[Dowleiswaram]] on the left bank of the river Godavari through a head sluice and lock to Kakinada (approx. {{convert|5|km|mi|abbr=on}} downstream from Kakinada Port). The canal gets its water from the Godavari river through the [[Dowleswaram Barrage|Dowleiswaram barrage]] and thereafter connects Kakinada anchorage port. It connects the Godavari river section from [[Bhadrachalam]] to [[Rajahmundry]]. The Eluru canal comprises two distinct irrigation-cum – navigation canals, namely the Krishna Eluru canal of the eastern Krishna delta and the Godavari Eluru canal of western Godavari delta. It runs between [[Vijayawada]] to Vijjeswaram lock at [[Dowleswaram Barrage|Sir Arthur Thomas Cotton Barrage]] for a total distance of {{convert|139|km|mi|abbr=on}}. The Krishna Eluru canal takes off from the river section on the left bank of Krishna river on the upstream of Prakasam barrage through a head sluice at Vijayawada and meets Godavari Eluru canal at east [[Tammileru]] lock at [[Eluru]]. The Godavari Eluru canal takes off from the River section of river Godavari at Vijjeswaram ({{Coord|16|56|2|N|81|43|27|E}}) in Rajahmundry on the upstream of Dowleiswaram anicut through a head sluice and joins Krishna Eluru canal at East [[Tammileru]] lock. The Commamur canal runs between Vijayawada Seethanagaram lock and Peddaganjam lock for a total length of {{convert|113|km|mi|abbr=on}} It takes off from the Krishna River section in river Krishna in Vijayawada on the right side upstream off [[Prakasam Barrage|Prakasam barrage]] through a head sluice at [[Seethanagaram]] and joins the Buckingham canal at Peddaganjam Lock near [[Ongole]]. The [[Buckingham canal]] is a tidal canal stretching from Peddaganjam lock to [[Chennai]] and further down south up to [[Marakkanam]]. The stretch of the canal from Peddaganjam lock to Chennai for a length of {{convert|316|km|mi|abbr=on}} is called "North Buckingham canal" and the canal path from [[Chennai]] to [[Marakkanam]] for a total length of {{convert|110|km|mi}} is called "South Buckingham canal". It was constructed during the 19th century along the [[Coromandal Coast]]. [[Marakkanam]] is connected to the Sea ([[Bay of Bengal]]) at [[Pondicherry (city)|Pondicherry]] by the [[Kaliveli Lake|Kalluvelly tank]].

The lengths of the NW-4 in Andhra Pradesh, [[Tamil Nadu]], and [[Puducherry (union territory)|Puducherry]] are as follows:<ref name="ghsdapqmadtI">{{cite web |url=http://pib.nic.in/release/release.asp?relid=63559 |title= National Waterways |publisher=Public Information Bureau, Government of India |date=27 July 2010 | access-date=5 August 2010}}</ref>

{| class="wikitable"
! State !! Name of Canals and rivers !! Stretch !! Total Length
|-
| [[Andhra Pradesh]] || Kakinada Canal, Eluru Canal, Commamur Canal, Godavari River, Krishna River and North Buckingham Canal || (Peddaganjam ({{Coord|15.652681|N|80.238898|E|}}) to Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu border at [[Tada, Nellore district|Tada]]) || align="right"|{{convert|895|km|mi|abbr=on}}
|-
| [[Tamil Nadu]] || North Buckingham Canal and South Buckingham Canal || (Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu border at Tada to [[Kaliveli Lake|Kalluvelly tank]] || align="right"|{{convert|210|km|mi|abbr=on}}
|-
| [[Puducherry (union territory)|Puducherry]] || || Southern portion of [[Kaliveli Lake|Kalluvelly tank]] to [[Pondicherry (city)|Pondicherry]] link || align="right"|{{convert|2|km|mi|abbr=on}}
|}

===Geographical boundaries===
{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Boundary !! Description
|-
| Northern || A perpendicular line drawn across the Kakinada Canal to Jaganadhapuram road bridge located at Kakinada at a distance of {{convert|500|m|ft|abbr=on}} downstream at {{Coord|16.941098|N|82.242576|E|}}.
|-
| Southern || Junction of East coast highway and Chinnakalwari-Kanagachettikulam road at Kanagachettikulam which is the end point of artificial canal link to Kaluvelly tank located at {{Coord|12.080047|N|79.83696|E}}.
|-
| Western (River Godavari) || Road bridge at Bhadrachalam across Godavari River at {{Coord|17.678354|N|80.880423|E}}.
|-
| Western (River Krishna) || Road bridge at Wazirabad across Krishna River at {{Coord|16.682252|N|79.657309|E}}.
|-
| Eastern (River Godavari) ||Dowleswaram Barrage (Sir Arthur Cotton barrage) across river Godavari at Dowleswaram, Rajahmundry at {{Coord|16.936301|N|81.760383|E}}
|-
| Eastern (River Krishna) ||Prakasam barrage across river Krishna at Vijayawada at {{Coord|16.50665|N|80.605291 |E}}
|}

==Development==
[[File:National waterways NW-4.JPG|thumb|right|Map of NW-4]]
The concept of National Waterways was introduced in 1982 to promote the development of inland water transport in the country. At present, out of six declared National Waterways, developmental works are being carried out on NW-1, 2, and 3 only by Inland Waterways Authority of India [[Inland Waterways Authority of India|(IWAI)]]. The first three National Waterways (NW-1, 2 & 3) are being developed for shipping and navigation by providing basic inland transport infrastructural facilities, including navigational channel with required depth and width, aids for day and night navigation, and terminals at selected locations for berthing and loading/unloading of vessels.

In NW-1 & 2, IWAI undertakes river conservatory works to provide navigational channel of {{convert|3|m|ft|abbr=on}}, {{convert|2|m|ft|abbr=on}}, and {{convert|1.5|m|ft|abbr=on}} depth in different stretches during the low water period. In NW–3, IWAI is carrying out [[dredging]] to provide a navigational depth and width of {{convert|2|m|ft|abbr=on}} and {{convert|32|m|ft|abbr=on}}, respectively. Development works are being carried out with the objective of making all three National waterways fully operational with cargo and other inland vessels by March 2012.

For National Waterways 4 and 5, IWAI initiated the proposals for development in July 2010.<ref name="mmllppoowadtI">{{cite web |url=http://pib.nic.in/release/release.asp?relid=63559 |title=Development of National Waterways |publisher=Public Information Bureau, Government of India |date=27 July 2010 | access-date=5 August 2010}}</ref> Techno-economic studies for establishment of National Waterways NW-4 was done by Water And Power Consultancy Services (WAPCOS), a subsidiary of [[Ministry of Water Resources, River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation|Ministry of Water Resources]]

The completion period for NW-4 was estimated at seven years by [[Detailed Project Report]] prepared by WAPCOS, which is contrary to that of 2002 estimates which indicated five years as completion period. {{convert|1707|ha|acres|adj=on}} of land are required for NW-4 construction;<ref name="liqqqpodftI" /><ref name="IndiaWRIS-NW4" /> {{convert|300|ha|acres|abbr=on}}, {{convert|1380|ha|acres|abbr=on}}, and {{convert|27|ha|acres|abbr=on}} land has to be acquired in the states of Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, and Puducherry respectively.

==Traffic==
[[A. F. Ferguson & Co.|A. F. Ferguson]] was appointed by WAPCOS for conducting traffic studies for proposed waterway in 2005–06.

===Current traffic===
There is no significant traffic in the waterway except for movement of country boats which carry local produce. The main reason for lack of [[Inland water navigation in India|IWT]] movement is the absence of other infrastructure facilities and coordinated effort for improvements.

===Potential traffic===


NW-4 has been divided into four major cargo belts, namely [[Kakinada]] belt, [[krishna River|Krishna]] belt, South [[Andhra Pradesh]] belt, and [[Chennai]] belt. Based on the survey conducted by WAPCOS, the 11 million tonnes of cargo is expected to be transported through NW-4 every year. Types of cargo include [[coal]], [[rice]], [[Food grain|foodgrains]], [[cement]], [[fertilisers]], forest products, [[salt]], and other [[bulk cargo]].<ref name="kfdhgsfsdfk">{{cite web|url=http://iwai.nic.in/Executivesummary_-April_2010nw4.pdf|title=Detailed Project Report by WAPCOS|author=WAPCOS, Ministry of Water Resources|access-date=5 August 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101206171519/http://iwai.nic.in/Executivesummary_-April_2010nw4.pdf|archive-date=6 December 2010|url-status=dead}}</ref> The Godavari River system flows through the [[Bhadrachalam]] forests and [[coal]] deposits. The [[Krishna River]] flows through [[limestone]] deposits and [[cement]] industries at [[Jaggayyapeta]].

=== Krishna River (Wazirabad – Vijayawada) ===
[[Guntur]] has abundant resources of limestone which are of use in cement and steel industries. Main consumers of limestone are nearby situated [[cement]] and [[steel]] industries like [[Associated Cement Companies|ACC]], Andhra Cement, Parthasarathy Cements & Industries Ltd and Gauthami Cements as well as Visakhapatnam Steel Plant.

=== Godavari River (Bhadrachalam – Rajahmundry) ===
The [[coal]] is a substantially available commodity in this stretch due to its nearness to Singareni Collieries [[Singareni Collieries Company Ltd|(SCCL)]] mines. Coal fields are located in [[Kothagudem]], [[Manuguru]] and [[Yellandu]]. [[Rice]] has a huge traffic potential in this downstream route up to [[Rajahmundry]]. In the upstream direction, traffic potential will be gained by transportation of forest products, [[wood pulp]] to [[Bhadrachalam]] where major [[paper mills]] like [https://web.archive.org/web/20080512082204/http://www.itcpspd.com/ ITC Bhadrachalam] and Andhra Pradesh paper mills [http://www.andhrapaper.com/ (APPML)] are located. Apart from this, many small paper mills are located in the [[East Godavari district|East]] and [[West Godavari district|West Godavari]] districts.

===Kakinada Canal===
Main cargo to be transported in downstream direction from [[kakinada]] to [[rajahmundry]] are [[coal]], [[fertilizer]], [[salt]] and [[Rock phosphate|rock Phosphate]]. In the upstream direction, rice bran extractions, [[Clinker (cement)|cement clinker]] and [[fertilizers]] will be the main cargos for transportation.

=== Eluru Canal ===
Rice and other food grains, rice bran extractions, [[coal]], [[fertilizer]] and other general cargo are the substantive commodities which can boost the IWT in this stretch.

=== Commanur Canal ===
The stretch from [[Vijayawada]] to Peddaganjam ([[Ongole]]) is a vital trade link connecting Kakinada belt with south [[Andhra Pradesh|A.P]] and [[Tamil Nadu]]. The major towns in the vicinity capable of promoting IWT are [[Vijayawada]], [[Guntur]] [[Tenali]] and [[Ongole]]. Main traffic in the downward direction are rice and food grains. Forest products will form traffic in the upstream direction.

=== North Buckingham Canal ===
The canal can form significant traffic because of salt pans located all along the canal stretch. Rice, food grains, [[fertilizers]], [[chili pepper]]s, [[tobacco]], [[fish]], [[granite]] and [[vegetables]] in the downstream direction from Peddaganjam to [[Chennai]]. In the upstream direction from [[Chennai]] to Peddaganjam, the main traffic consists of fertilizers from Madras Fertilisers [http://madrasfert.nic.in/ (MFL)] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111007045753/http://madrasfert.nic.in/ |date=7 October 2011 }} plant located at [[Ennore]] and [[salt]] from [[Chennai]].

=== South Buckingham Canal and Kaluvelly Tank ===
The canal stretch from [[Basin Bridge|Basin bridge]] up to [[Marakkanam]] can constitute significant traffic of salt and marine products because of [[Dry lake|salt pans]] and [[aquaculture]] [[shrimp farms]] all along the route. In the upstream direction from [[Pondicherry (city)|Pondicherry]] via [[Marakkanam]] to [[Chennai]], the main traffic consists of salt, fertilizers and timber from [[Marakkanam]], [[Thiruvallur]], [[Kanchipuram]], [[Villupuram]] and Pondicherry.

==NW-4 as Natural Barrier==

The stretch of [[Buckingham Canal]] saved thousands of lives in the states of Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu along the [[Coromandal Coast|coromandal coast]] from [[2004 Indian Ocean earthquake and tsunami|tsunami]] waves, that occurred on 26 December 2004. Dr. B. Ramalingeswara Rao of National Geophysical Research Institute [[National Geophysical Research Institute|(NGRI)]], [[Hyderabad, India|Hyderabad]] reports that the Buckingham Canal acted as a [[buffer zone]] and regulated the tsunami waves on the coastal region over {{convert|310|km|mi|abbr=on}} from Pedda Ganjam to [[Chennai]]. The tsunami waves drifted away towards the existing low-lying [[Creek (tidal)|creeks]] at several places.<ref name="wwepoer">{{cite web |url=http://www.ias.ac.in/currsci/jul102005/12.pdf |title=CURRENT SCIENCE, VOL. 89, NO. 1 |publisher=Indian Academy of Science |date=10 July 2005 |access-date=5 August 2010}}</ref><ref name="bnrtasjk">{{cite web |url=http://www.hinduonnet.com/seta/2005/08/11/stories/2005081100171500.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070714133808/http://www.hinduonnet.com/seta/2005/08/11/stories/2005081100171500.htm |url-status=usurped |archive-date=14 July 2007 |title=Buckingham canal buffered tsunami fury |work=The Hindu|date=11 August 2005 | access-date=5 August 2010}}</ref>

The canal from [[Chennai]] ([[Marakkanam]]) to Durga Raya Patnam near [[Nellore]] and then to Pedda Ganjam, all along the east coast was filled with tsunami water, which overflowed at a few places and receded back to sea within 10–15 minutes. This saved the lives of several fishermen, especially in coastal Andhra Pradesh and parts of Chennai city.

==Cost==
The cost for developing a waterway in India is approximately {{INRConvert|0.5|c}} per [[Kilometre|km]], whereas developing a railway or roadway costs around {{INRConvert|4|c}} – {{INRConvert|6|c}} per km.<ref name="uifjksapqwasjk">{{cite web |url=http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/2005/04/04/stories/2005040400270600.htm |title=Buckingham canal buffered tsunami fury |author=Mr K. Shankar Narayanan, chairman, Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI) |publisher=Business Line |date=4 April 2004 | access-date=5 August 2010}}</ref> As per estimates drawn by consultants [[RITES|M/s RITES]] in 2002, the project will cost {{INRConvert|542|c|year=2002}} and facilitate movement of 100 [[tonne]] vessels in the irrigation canal portion and 350 [[tonne]] in the rivers and Buckingham canal portion.

The cost was re-estimated by WAPCOS in 2009 to {{INRConvert|1515|c|year=2009}}, which involves two phase development of the project.<ref name="IndiaWRIS-NW4" /> Phase one of the project envisages development of a stretch comprising Godavari and Krishna rivers, and Kakinada and Eluru canals, which has maximum cargo potential, at an estimated cost of {{INRConvert|390|c|year=2009}} and land acquisition for remaining stretch at an estimated cost of {{INRConvert|219|c|year=2009}}. Phase two of the project involves development of North and South Buckingham Canal, Commamur canal, and Kaluvelly Tank at an estimated cost of {{INRConvert|906|c|year=2009}}.

In the [[Tenth Five-Year Plan (India)|Tenth Five-Year Plan]], [[Planning Commission (India)|Planning Commission]] has increased the budgetary provision for the development of inland water transport infrastructure to {{INRConvert|636.73|c|}}, against {{INRConvert|150|c|}} in the [[Ninth Five-Year Plan (India)|Ninth Five-Year Plan]].<ref name="bnrwertiu">{{cite web |url=http://www.financialexpress.com/old/fe_archive_full_story.php?content_id=158269 |title= Budgetary provision for National waterways |publisher=Financial Express |date=19 March 2007 |access-date=5 August 2010}}</ref>

For the year 2009–2010, the government has released the following funds through [[Ministry of Shipping (India)|Ministry of Shipping]] for development of IWT.<ref name="cvbntiu">{{cite web |url=http://shipping.gov.in/writereaddata/linkimages/outcome%20bgt71947725.pdf |title=Ministry of Shipping Budget for the year 2009–2010 |publisher=Ministry of Shipping, Government of India |access-date=5 August 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101227101821/http://shipping.gov.in/writereaddata/linkimages/outcome%20bgt71947725.pdf |archive-date=27 December 2010 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

* {{INRConvert|62.68|c|}} as a grant to IWAI for development and maintenance of National Waterways (NW 1,2,3,4 & 5).And also for undertaking projects related to IWT promotion, training, IT activities etc.
* {{INRConvert|1|c|}} has been released for Technical Studies and [[R&D]] activities.
* {{INRConvert|1|c|}} has been released for Inland Vessel Building Subsidy Scheme.
* {{INRConvert|1|c|}} has been released for Central Sector Schemes for IWT Development in [[Northeast India|North Eastern Region]].

==Delay in the project==

Common factors attributable for delay in development of IWT are lack of infrastructure, absence of fixed scheduled services, poor navigational aids, lack of connectivity, longer river distances, multiple handling, and limited flow of private investments. The [[Eleventh Five-Year Plan (India)|Eleventh Five-Year Plan]] envisaged development of six national inland waterways. Although the government demarcated five such National Waterways, the [[Ministry of Shipping (India)|shipping ministry]] is unable to start the work on developing two of them (NW-4 & NW-5), as [[Planning Commission (India)|Planning Commission]] has not approved the development plans until now. Ministry of Shipping awaits the sum of {{INRConvert|500|c}} that it needs to carry out the development works. As a result of the delay in getting the Planning Commission approval and the funds, the ministry has suspended the plans for developing the sixth national inland waterway.<ref name="ewrtytuu">{{cite web |url=http://www.financialexpress.com/news/inland-waterway-projects-hang-fire-as-plan-panel-delays-nod/613148/ |title=Inland waterway projects hang fire as Plan panel delays nod |publisher=Financial Express |date=30 April 2010 |access-date=5 August 2010}}</ref>

==See also==
* [[National Waterway 2 (India)]]
* [[National Waterway 3 (India)]]
* [[Inland Waterways Authority of India]]
* [[Inland waterways of India]]
* [[The Inland Vessels (Amendment) Act, 2007]]

==References==
{{reflist}}

{{Indian Waterways Network}}

[[Category:Waterways in India]]
[[Category:Transport in Andhra Pradesh]]
[[Category:Transport in Puducherry]]
[[Category:Transport in Tamil Nadu]]
[[Category:Transport in Kakinada]]

National Waterway 4 - Revision history

MarvinGrenier8: Stub