The Government of Uttar Pradesh plans to establish an Inland Waterways Authority to promote and regulate water transport in the state.

To be set up on the lines of the Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI) established in 1986, the proposed statutory body will be known as the Inland Waterways of Uttar Pradesh with an independent office and infrastructure, a government spokesman said.

The transportation department, which is currently responsible for regulating waterborne transportation in the state, is scheduled to give a presentation on the proposal to the chief secretary by the end of the week before sending it to the Cabinet for approval.

L Venkateshwar Lu, Chief Secretary, Transport, said: "The government has decided to establish an Inland Waterways Authority in the state to promote and regulate passenger and freight transport in various rivers. A proposal on this will soon be sent to the cabinet for approval."

According to Transport Commissioner Chandra Bhushan Singh, the government will also pass a law to establish rules setting out the powers and functions of the proposed body that will explore the possibilities of promoting water transport in rivers in the state.