• The project: Of the 588 km, a 332 km riverine stretch from Talcher to Paradeep/Dhamra lies wholly in Odisha, and the remaining 256 km canal section runs from Dhamra to Geonkhali in West Bengal. It awaits approval and is expected to boost cargo movement and port-led industrial development in the mineral-rich hinterland.

Issues discussed:

• Land acquisition and transfer for terminals and hydraulic structures, maintenance of assets, statutory clearances, and the state’s role.
• Adequate water to maintain the Least Available Depth (LAD).
• The Khalpal Navigational Lock, bridge construction and dismantling, last-mile road links and shifting of power lines.

• The old NH-5 is now NH-16. It connects Kolkata (West Bengal) in the north-east with Chennai (Tamil Nadu) in the south, running along India’s east coast.

• National Waterways: The National Waterways Act, 2016 declared 111 national waterways. Shipping and navigation on declared national waterways is a Union subject (Union List, Entry 24).
• IWAI: The Inland Waterways Authority of India, set up in 1985 under the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways, develops and regulates national waterways.
• LAD: Least Available Depth, the minimum water depth a waterway must maintain for vessels to navigate.
• Odisha’s ports: Paradeep (a major port), Dhamra (private) and Gopalpur. Talcher is a coal hub.
• Sagarmala: The Centre’s programme for port-led development, which includes coastal shipbuilding and cruise tourism projects.

National Waterways, the Inland Waterways Authority of India, Least Available Depth, Sagarmala and Odisha’s ports (Paradeep, Dhamra, Gopalpur) are recurring themes for OPSC Prelims (Indian Economy, Odisha Current Events) and OPSC Mains GS Paper III (Infrastructure, Ports and Logistics).

For structured notes on Odisha-specific current affairs, aspirants preparing in Bhubaneswar can join the OPSC Foundation Batch at Strive Edge IAS — recognized as one of the best OPSC OAS coaching institutes in Bhubaneswar.