Rs.1,400+ cr to boost inland waterways in 21 states
The Inland Waterways Development Council (IWDC) is set to implement more than Rs.50,000 crore projects over the next five years as well as Rs.1,400+ crore new initiatives across Inland Waterways in 21 States https://www.conexpoconagg.com/.
Announcing the projects on 10 Jan, Minister of Ports, Shipping & Waterways Sarbananda Sonowal said, “We are attempting at rejuvenating the support system of inland waterways so that we decongest railways and roadways and at the same time, provide a viable, economic, sustainable and efficient mode of transportation for both passengers and cargo operators https://www.globaltenders.com/.
“At IWDC, we levelled up solutions to tide over challenges in an attempt to unlock the opportunities for economic development. In this regard, we have aimed at launching 1,000 Green vessels https://ted.europa.eu/en/.”
The announcements were made at the second meeting of IWDC, organised by the Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI), the nodal agency for development of waterways under the Ministry of Ports, Shipping & Waterways (MoPSW) https://www.bseindia.com/.
A major policy initiative in the form of Riverine Community Development Scheme was mooted at the IWDC meet to improve the socio-economic well-being of coastal communities by developing infrastructure, promotion of trade and tourism along with riverine ecosystem, providing skill enrichment trainings and upgrading traditional knowledge of river of the communities in an attempt to upgrade the quality of lives of the people living by the banks of the National Waterways https://www.nseindia.com/.
Elaborated Sonowal on the Rs.1,400+ crore investment to boost inland waterways transport network in 21 states https://shipmin.gov.in/.
“In an effort to ensure seamless and sustainable movement of Inland vessels and also ensure its safety, the National River Traffic and Navigation System (NRT&NS) has been launched https://sbi.com.in/.
“Major projects of upgrade in Inland Waterways Transport (IWT) have been conceived today at the meeting. To build a robust IWT in the country, the government is planning to develop shipbuilding and ship repair facilities across all the NWs https://www.shipyardsassociationofindia.com/. This will reduce logistics costs, boosting the ancillary industries, and encouraging inclusion of riparian communities through employment opportunities,” he said https://www.ibef.org/.
Further to the nine Regional Centres of Excellence (RCoE) to skill up manpower and encourage innovation and research in the marine and IWT sector being developed by the Ministry, more CEOs will be created all across the nation, he said .
Highlighting the growth of inland waterways in the country, Sonowal said, “The ‘Cruise Bharat Mission’ is to boost cruise tourism in India over next five years, aiming to establish 10 sea cruise terminals, 100 river cruise terminals, and five marinas.
“Through strategic regional projects and agreements with neighbouring countries such as Bangladesh, Nepal, Bhutan, Myanmar and others, we are facilitating regional trade and seamless transport connectivity in South Asia https://dredge-india.com/.”
The Minister also announced setting up of six floating steel jetties on river Godavari (NW 4) at Gandipochamma Temple, Pochavaram, Perantapalli village in Andhra Pradesh.
A feasibility study on river Penna (NW 79) was also announced along with DPR of NW 4 to get additional inputs for development at the meeting.
For Assam, Sonowal announced setting up of Regional Centre of Excellence (RcoE) in Dibrugarh. The aim of this institution will be to incubate an ecosystem to train and develop manpower for IWT sector in the Northeast region encouraging innovations.
The historic building of IWAI in Dibrugarh has been identified for refurbishment and preserve its glory as a Historic Building.
Sonowal also announced setting up of four new Tourist Jetties at Biswanath Ghat, Neamati Ghat, Silghat and Guijan.
A new link road of 500 meters will be constructed between the under-construction Ship Repair Facility to Pandu Port in Guwahati.
Sonowal further announced design, construction, supply, testing and commissioning of 12 vessels while one survey vessel for river Barak (NW 16). It was also decided to procure two steel pontoons with gangway for providing terminal facility under Centrally Sponsored Scheme (CSS) https://www.deme-group.com/activities/dredging.
Speaking on the development in Assam and the Northeast, Sonowal said, “The strategic significance is underscored by a substantial investment of over Rs.1,000 crore in Assam in the last couple of years dedicated to advancement of these waterways.
Comprehensive development of NW 2, Ship repair facility at Pandu, Bogibeel terminal development, last mile connectivity to Pandu, are some of the projects that have already taken off, he added.
Further the Minister expects huge investments for development of North-Eastern waterways which stand as a resounding testament to their critical role in propelling economic growth and prosperity.
For Goa, Sonowal has announced 10 community Jetties on river Mandovi (NW 68), river Cumberjua (NW 27) and river Zuari (NW 111) while three additional jetties on river Sal (NW 88) and river Chapora (NW 25).
Proposal for fairway maintenance in NW 68, NW 27 and NW 71 have been approved, he informed after the meeting.
Building on the success of Quick Pontoon Opening Mechanism (QPOM) on river Ganga (NW 1), he said the facility is now being extended to all the National Waterways, as discussed at the IWDC on 10 Jan.
Sonowal also launched 2 QPOM designed by IIT–Kharagpur which will be deployed in the states of UP and Bihar.
Four locations in Bihar and another four locations in Uttar Pradesh have been identified for installation of QPOM.
In Uttar Pradesh, the Government is planning to boost inland waterways transport by building 8 floating jetties in Mathura and 2 steel jetties in Ayodhya along with Electric Catamaran.
A Ship Repair Facility is also going to come up at Ghazipur to minimise downtime owing to either emergent breakdown of the vessels or planned periodic maintenance of the inland vessels.
For bolstering of national waterways network, the Minister also announced setting up of 2 jetties on river Yamuna (NW 110) in Delhi and 7 jetties on river Jhelum (NW 49) for cruise tourism & urban transportation in Jammu & Kashmir.
Sonowal also announced operationalisation of river Chenab (NW 26) and river Ravi (NW 84) for tourism. It will cover NW 84 stretch in Himachal and Punjab also. Government is also planning to operationalise river Sutlej (NW 98) for bathymetric survey. In Ladakh, 2 jetties and 1 green vessel are being set up on river Indus (NW 46).
In Uttar Pradesh, the government plans to enhance inland waterways transport with 8 floating jetties in Mathura, 2 steel jetties in Ayodhya, and an electric catamaran.
Additionally, a ship repair facility is set to be established in Ghazipur to reduce vessel downtime from breakdowns or scheduled maintenance, announced Sonowal.
To boost river cruise tourism, a circuit is being developed from Kailash Mandir to Taj Mahal stretch of NW 110 in Agra. This is going to give a whole new experience of Taj Mahal from the river.
IWAI has endeavoured to develop NW-1 passing through the states of Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand and West Bengal, as a reliable cargo logistics route under Jal Marg Vikas Project with an investment of more than Rs.5,000 crore.
With a view to increase this growth further, ‘Jalvahak’ scheme has been launched for incentivizing the movement of long-haul cargo via NW 1 (river Ganga) as well as for NW 2 (river Brahmaputra) and NW 16 (river Barak).
Under this Jalvahak scheme, Fixed Scheduled Service between Kolkata – Patna – Varanasi and back on NW 1 and between Kolkata-Pandu and back on NW 2 via IBPR has been launched.
The Inland Waterways Development Council (IWDC) set up in 2023 is an exercise to derive the maximum economic potential out of the Inland Water bodies, it requires exceptionally coordinated Centre-State relationship, collaborations and cooperation in the spirit of Cooperative Federalism. Fiinews.com
