The need for an integrated transport policy with accent on greater utilization of inland water transport system and coastal shipping was emphasized by several speakers at the Logistics Colloquium, organized by the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) Eastern Region, here on Tuesday.

At least on two other issues also, namely, the irrelevance of high logistics costs and need for extending the proposed dedicated freight corridor for the eastern sector to some deep-draught ports for obtaining the full benefits of such connectivity, the speakers at the inaugural session seemed unanimous.

Mr. S.K. Mohapatra, Chief Executive Officer of Dhamra Port Company, set the ball rolling when he indicated that it should be possible to transport about 10 million tonnes of coal through the Brahmani River in Orissa from the coal mines of Talcher to Dhamra port.

Similarly, the Mahandi River could also be used to facilitate imports and exports through the Paradip port.

The canal linking Orissa with West Bengal was earlier used for freight movement and this could be revived, he said.