NGT asks MoEF for report on whether clearance needed for inland waterway projects in Ganga SECTIONS Last Updated: Dec 18, 2020, 07:01 PM IST Share Synopsis The tribunal was hearing a plea filed by Bharat Jhunjhunwala and others on whether EIA is necessary for navigation infrastructure in the River Ganga in the stretch from Varanasi to Haldia also known as the National Waterway 1 (NW1) undertaken by Inland Waterways Authority of India. Agencies The applicant referred to Entry 7(e) of Schedule to the EIA Notification to state that "ports, harbours, back waters and dredging" require clearance. New Delhi: The National Green Tribunal has directed the Ministry of Environment and Forests (MoEF) to submit a report on the issue whether Environment Impact Assessment is necessary for inland waterway projects in Ganga river in the stretch from Varanasi to Haldia also known as the National Waterway 1. The Jal Marg Vikas Project (JMVP) is being implemented on the Varanasi-Haldia stretch of National Waterway-1 (NW-1) with the technical assistance and investment support of the World Bank, at an estimated cost of Rs 5,369.18 crores (USD 800 million) on a 50:50 sharing basis between Government of India and the World Bank, according to the Ministry of Shipping.