For years the government believed the country could make use of its
rivers for water transportation. But a latest feasibility study
conducted to assess such possibilities concluded that operating water
transportation in three major rivers -- Koshi, Gandaki and Bheri was
almost impossible due to their irratic flow pattern.
Two private consulting companies that presented preliminary report conducted under the terms of Ministry of Physical Planning and Works (MoPPW) said water transportation was not commercially viable in Nepal. However, the report notes that 11 out of 14 different sections of those rivers can be used for recreational purposes for tourism.
"River flow pattern that affect the operation of vessel vary greatly in those rivers. Though jet boats can be operated by constructing dams and other physical infrastructures, the cost involved in such development are so high, those make commercial operations of water transportation unviable," reads the report.
Officials who were sought to make comments on report said that this was a first step towards studying the potential of water transport in the country. "This report does not show any prospects of building water transport in these rivers. However, we are ready to do more study to see if there are still any chances of utilizing the rivers for transportation," said one of the senior officials of the ministry.
Ironically, the study team which was solely focused on finding the possibilities for water transportation couldn´t express the confidence in their own report. "Many aspects are yet to be studied though this is what we found," Padam Shahi, team leader of the study said, "Water transportation might be potential if we analyze it through the complementary perspectives but this is not comparing to other means of transportation."
The feasibility report which even failed to estimate the total cost of water transportation in three rivers has recommended making some short term plan to experiment the viability of the water transportation. Moreover, the study report proposed only two sections of the Bheri river for transport namely, Kamalpur to Bhtechaur and Ghatgaun to Taranga.
The report studied five sections of the Koshi, six sections of the Gandaki and three sections of the Bheri. "Some of the sections are already used for recreation and transport purpose," Shahi said, presenting the study report on Wednesday, "Even in those sections, locally manufactured boats are in use, this can´t be called as sound water transportation."
"This report has an indication that we can´t develop water transportation as substitutes to road transportation," senior official at the ministry said, "We had assigned companies to do the feasibility study in those rivers which were anticipated to be useful for the water transportation. After this report, I don´t think we would be able to develop water transportation in other rivers."
However, Dolalghat to Chatara and Chatara to Tribeni sections of Koshi River, Devghat to Ramdi and Mugling to Fishlin sections of Gandaki river are in use for recreational purpose already.
Two private consulting companies that presented preliminary report conducted under the terms of Ministry of Physical Planning and Works (MoPPW) said water transportation was not commercially viable in Nepal. However, the report notes that 11 out of 14 different sections of those rivers can be used for recreational purposes for tourism.
"River flow pattern that affect the operation of vessel vary greatly in those rivers. Though jet boats can be operated by constructing dams and other physical infrastructures, the cost involved in such development are so high, those make commercial operations of water transportation unviable," reads the report.
Officials who were sought to make comments on report said that this was a first step towards studying the potential of water transport in the country. "This report does not show any prospects of building water transport in these rivers. However, we are ready to do more study to see if there are still any chances of utilizing the rivers for transportation," said one of the senior officials of the ministry.
Ironically, the study team which was solely focused on finding the possibilities for water transportation couldn´t express the confidence in their own report. "Many aspects are yet to be studied though this is what we found," Padam Shahi, team leader of the study said, "Water transportation might be potential if we analyze it through the complementary perspectives but this is not comparing to other means of transportation."
The feasibility report which even failed to estimate the total cost of water transportation in three rivers has recommended making some short term plan to experiment the viability of the water transportation. Moreover, the study report proposed only two sections of the Bheri river for transport namely, Kamalpur to Bhtechaur and Ghatgaun to Taranga.
The report studied five sections of the Koshi, six sections of the Gandaki and three sections of the Bheri. "Some of the sections are already used for recreation and transport purpose," Shahi said, presenting the study report on Wednesday, "Even in those sections, locally manufactured boats are in use, this can´t be called as sound water transportation."
"This report has an indication that we can´t develop water transportation as substitutes to road transportation," senior official at the ministry said, "We had assigned companies to do the feasibility study in those rivers which were anticipated to be useful for the water transportation. After this report, I don´t think we would be able to develop water transportation in other rivers."
However, Dolalghat to Chatara and Chatara to Tribeni sections of Koshi River, Devghat to Ramdi and Mugling to Fishlin sections of Gandaki river are in use for recreational purpose already.
No comments:
Post a Comment