NTPC prepares to transport coal through inland waterways

NTPC Ltd, the country's largest power producer has signed an agreement with the state-owned Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI) and Jindal ITF for transportation of coal from the ports to its 2,100-MW Farakka station in West Bengal using the inland waterways.

The project will use a trans-shipper (for ferrying goods to the respective destination), anchored near Haldia port on east coast on which coal will be unloaded and further loaded into barges for transportation to NTPC Farakka Power Station, the statement added.

This project includes the operation of the largest barge fleet in India along National Waterway, connecting Haldia and Allahabad, and will promote use of inland waterways.

"Jindal ITF has been selected as an operator by NTPC and IWAI through a International Competitive Bidding process," the company said in a statement.

The need for the new mode of coal transportation was felt due to the insufficient railway infrastructure.

"Considering the current constraints of Indian port sector, this project is bound to bring paradigm shift in import of dry bulk cargo," an official statement said.