The Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI), which is responsible for the inland waterways in the country, has transported its first consignment for the expansion of the Numaligarh Refinery Limited (NRL) capacity. The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for the transportation of 24 ODC (Over Dimensional Cargo) and Over Weight Cargo (OWC) for NRL was signed between IWAI and NRL last year.
The transportation of the ODC from Kolkata to Numaligarh using inland waterways is a significant event for Assam. It is a realization of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of transformation through transportation. The capacity expansion of NRL would not have been possible without the smooth transportation of the ODC and OWC. Under Modi’s leadership, the Ministry of Ports, Shipping & Waterways has prioritized the development of India’s waterways, and this transport is a testament to that commitment. The successful arrival of the first ODC at NRL highlights the crucial role of inland waterways in empowering the growth of Assam and Northeast India.
The ODC was transported by an IWAI ship named MV Marine 66 from Kolkata to Numaligarh Refinery Jetty via the Indo Bangladesh Protocol Route (IBPR). The DHT reactor, weighing 485 MT in net and 521 MT in gross weight, has dimensions of 31.5 meters in length, 8.250 meters in height, and 8.00 meters in diameter.
The ODC began its journey from Kolkata on 18 March and reached Numaligarh after almost three months of travel through Bangladesh. IWAI, with the assistance of the Dredging Corporation of India (DCI), utilized three dredgers across five locations in Dhansiri to ensure the smooth transportation. These dredgers, named CSD Mandovi, CSD Brahmini, and HSD Jia Bhoroli, played a vital role in making this transportation a success.
