Union Shipping and Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari today said inland waterways can boost the movement of goods and passengers across the country and in addition help in saving around Rs. 10,000 crore annually in transporting coal.

The minister said he is hopeful that Parliament will approve the Bill to convert 111 rivers across the country into National Waterways in the current Winter Session.

“Inland waterways will help in saving logistics costs and boost movement of goods and passengers across the country. Besides, they will also save around Rs 10,000 crore per year while transporting coal, a crucial resource,” Gadkari said at the annual session of industry chamber PHDCCI in Delhi.