News: The Inland Waterway Authority of India (IWAI) has set up a new regional office at Varanasi.
About Inland Waterway Authority of India
- It is a statutory body established by the central government under the provisions of the Inland Waterway Authority of India Act, 1985.
- The authority undertakes projects for development and maintenance of inland water transport infrastructure for shipping and navigation.
- Functions:
- The authority carries out the survey and navigation, fairway development, and undertakes infrastructural development of national waterways.
- It is also responsible for other general functions like advising the central government, carrying out hydrographic surveys, assisting state governments, providing consultancy services.
- It is administered by the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways.
- It is headquartered in Noida. The regional offices are in Patna, Kolkata, Guwahati and Kochi, Varanasi.
